U.S. sanctions will not halt nuclear work: Iran

Source: WP


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will not suspend its disputed nuclear program even if the United States imposes sanctions targeting companies that ship fuel to the Islamic Republic, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

Twenty-five U.S. senators from both parties have proposed giving President Barack Obama new leverage in the dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The bill gives Obama the authority to sanction companies supplying petrol to Iran.

The United States and its Western allies suspect Iran is aiming to develop nuclear bombs under the cover of a civilian program and want it to halt sensitive uranium enrichment. Iran rejects the allegation and says it will not bow to pressure.

"We can cope with such measures (U.S. sanctions). Sanctions and threats will not stop Iran from continuing its nuclear work," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a weekly news conference.




Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/04/AR2009050400891.html

If you're about to sit down and negotiate a comprehensive regional settlement, you don't theaten to cut off the opposite party's fuel supplies. Not a good-faith negotiating tactic.

This approach won't reach orbit.