OPINION:
The United States and France have declared the two NATO nations will work together to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from enhancing its ballistic missile capability. The Obama administration, through its nuclear deal with Iran, put Tehran on the path to obtaining nuclear weapons, and provided the financial resources to do so by revoking sanctions previously placed on the terrorist-enabling country.
France and the United States are determined to “vigorously” raise pressure on Iran over its ballistic missile program, including possibly through sanctions, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said during a visit to Washington, reported Reuters.
France has gone as far as describing Iran’s “hegemonic temptations.” “They didn’t like the word, but I stand by it,” Mr. Le Drian told reporters. “Iran’s hegemonic temptations in the region is a matter of urgency because it’s within the framework of getting peace in Iraq and Syria that we will stop this process.
“We are fully determined to press very vigorously on Iran to stop the development of an increasingly significant ballistic capability.”
The Trump administration, in conjunction with NATO allies, has been searching for ways to impact Iran, now that the previous sanction pressure has been relieved. It seems new sanctions may be in the offing. Iran has publicly voiced its displeasure at Washington over the possibility, couched with the usual threats and bluster.
Israel is also concerned about Iran’s new hegemony in the region and has told Moscow it will not allow Tehran to threaten the Jewish state from newly acquired Syrian territory.
President Trump’s new national security strategy places emphasis on confronting Tehran’s global menace as well.
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