Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
Abstract
According to the "National Security Strategy" of March 16, 2006, the United States "may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran." That perception, generated first by Iran's developing nuclear program, intensified following the military confrontation between Iranian-armed and assisted Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel in July-August 2006. To date, the Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain the potential threat posed by Iran, but the Administration's focus on preventing an Iranian nuclear weapons breakthrough -- as well as on stabilizing Iraq -- has brought diplomatic strategy to the forefront. The Bush Administration announced May 31, 2006, it would negotiate with Iran in concert with U.S. allies if Iran suspends uranium enrichment. However, Iran did not comply with an August 31, 2006, deadline to cease uranium enrichment, contained in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1696 (July 31, 2006). After almost 4 months of negotiations during which Russia and China argued that diplomacy with Iran would yield greater results than would sanctions, the Security Council imposed modest sanctions on trade with Iran's nuclear infrastructure and a freeze on the assets of related entities and personalities. Iran remains out of compliance, and the international community is discussing further sanctions against it. Other Iranian policies -- particularly its material support to groups that use violence to prevent Israeli-Arab peace or undermine pro-U.S. governments -- are attracting growing U.S. concern. U.S. officials accuse Iran of attempting to exert influence in Iraq and causing the deaths of U.S. troops by providing arms and other material assistance to Shiite Islamist militias participating in sectarian violence against Iraq's Sunnis. The Administration is pursuing a containment strategy to support its diplomacy on Iran, including a naval buildup in the Persian Gulf and efforts to persuade European governments to curb trade with Iran.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472442
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress