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, has been intensified by Iran's assistance to Shiite armed groups in Iraq and to Lebanese Hezbollah. The Bush Administration is pursuing 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 multilateral diplomatic strategy to the forefront. 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 trade with and the assets of related entities and personalities. (Resolution 1737, passed unanimously on Dec 23, 2006). Iran remained out of compliance, and the international community increased sanctions in a follow-on Resolution (1747) adopted unanimously on March 24, 2007. The Administration's containment strategy includes a naval buildup in the Persian Gulf, efforts to persuade European governments to curb trade with Iran, and pressure on foreign banks not to do business with Iran. Some legislation introduced in the 110th Congress, including H.R. 1400, S. 970, and H.R. 957, would tighten some U.S. sanctions on Iran. Amid signs that the pressure is causing increased strains among leaders in Iran, the Administration strongly denies it is planning on military action against Iran. Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran, although without a clear means of achieving such a result.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472444
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress