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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Panetta Says Diplomacy and Economic Pressure On Iran Are Working

A Tacit Message to Israel Not to Move Ahead With Military Strike

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said today economic sanctions against Iran are increasingly effective and urged that diplomacy and economic pressure be given more time to work. The Secretary’s comments are considered a tacit message to the Israelis not to move ahead with a military strike on Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called the sanctions useless. Panetta’s comments seemed to be a response to Netanyahu.

“These sanctions are having a serious impact in terms of the economy of Iran,” Panetta said. “While the results of that may not seem obvious at the moment,” the Iranians had expressed a willingness to negotiate, and that they “continue to seem interested in trying to find a diplomatic solution,” Panetta added.  “What we all need to do is continue the pressure on Iran.” (New York Times, 30 July)
Secretary Panetta will be in Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. 

7 comments:

  1. Uskowi, why wasn't my post on "Khamenei Speaks Against An Oil-Based Economy" published?

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  2. Although, I agree with Mr.Penetta that the sanctions are working against the regime, but I also believe the sanctions are having a harder effect on the citizens of the country.

    Z

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  3. TheDonkeyInTheWell,

    Please resend your comments to be published, I do not recall the content and why it was not published.

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  4. US are the servant of israel. they have to make israel happy.

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  5. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of that post...

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  6. "US are the servant of israel. they have to make israel happy."

    ishak my friend,little do you know that the mullahs have made Iran the servant of the Russians and the Chinese.And our people can't afford to buy chicken or even bread anymore.Let that be a lesson to other people never to have religion with politics to rule your country.

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  7. What you missed.

    Netanyahu in full Beast Mode: “I've not made a decision yet [to attack Iran] …as in every democracy, it's the executive branch that decides, and the executive agencies execute.” In other words, he will not rely on the 9-member Security Council. The United States of America has lost all tactical and operational control for restraining Israel. They have created a monster and they don't know of any civilized way to stop it. The message to Panetta before their meeting is clear: the decider will not consult his close ally beforehand. Another terrifying message from these disturbing interviews with Israeli Channel 2 &10 is that there is a serious internal split between the security apparatus and the top brass over attacking Iran. His own Generals are more afraid of 'Yahoo than the Ayatollah!

    2Cold.

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