OPINION:
The new sanctions against Iran are far weaker than what is needed to stop Iran from going forth with its nuclear enrichment program (“U.N. approves new sanctions against Iran,” Page 1, Thursday).
The United States and the European Union must take additional actions to undermine Iran’s nuclear program. The White House knows this but must redouble its efforts on the issue. The ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, stated that the new sanctions were not robust enough. She said, “This resolution, full of loopholes, will not stop Iran’s march toward nuclear weapons or influence the regime’s behavior in any way. That the U.S. put all our eggs in the U.N. basket - and got this goose egg in return - is a disaster. … The U.S. Congress must immediately impose crippling sanctions against Iran. … This is our last chance.”
Of the 15 U.N. Security Council member states, only Turkey and Brazil voted against the new measures; Lebanon abstained. It’s time for Turkey, a NATO ally, to stand with America and the West. It is time for the world to investigate not only Turkey’s ties with Iran, but also its ties with the terrorist-connected Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, which caused the recent flotilla mayhem on the Mediterranean.
U.S. sanctions legislation targeting Iran’s energy sector - the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act - is pending approval in Congress. With the U.N. sanctions approved, the time is ripe for the U.S. sanctions to pass and be implemented - before it is too late.
RICHARD RESCHICK
Fredericksburg, Va.
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