The United States is likely to have sanctions on Iran to focus on cutting
Tehran's access to international finances, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
said yesterday.
Speaking on CNN television, Rice said she was "quite, quite certain" that the
UN Security Council will support the sanctions in light of Iran's refusal to
suspend uranium enrichment as called for under a UN resolution adopted in July.
The UN Security Council demands that Iran suspend its nuclear activities by
Aug. 31. In its Resolution 1696, the Security Council for the first time makes
legally binding demands on Iran and a threat of sanctions. Iran refuses to
suspend its uranium enrichment.
Rice said the sanctions, due to be discussed this week at the United Nations,
would not aim to halt Iran's exports of oil. "We believe that the key here is,
perhaps, on the financial side."
"There are things that you can do to cut off financing to Iran's programs, to
make clear to Iran that it will not be able to take advantage of the
international financial system in the way it needs to be able to use those
proceeds from oil," the secretary said.
