Stopping Iran’s nuclear program

What’s the next step after Obama couldn’t convince Russia to pressure Iran to abandon nuclear weapons

Transcript:

President Obama has enjoyed a triumphal romp of the world – in Europe, the Middle East, Africa.  But he hit a brick wall when he got to Moscow. Obama was hoping for a grand bargain where the Russians stop Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for us halting our missile shield in Eastern Europe. Apparently, though, the Russians said nyet.

They might eventually come around, but it’s a long shot.  Even if they do, it’s no guarantee they have enough leverage over Iran to stop their weapons program. Meanwhile, the clock continues to tick away while Iran moves ever closer to an atomic bomb.

So Obama has to do something decisive now – something that will bring the Iranians to the negotiating table immediately and ready to do business.

Iran may be the world’s fourth largest oil exporter, but since it doesn’t refine that oil, Iran still has to IMPORT Forty percent of its gasoline. That gas comes from just 5 companies – four in Europe and one in India. Their ships are insured by companies in Britain, France, Germany and Japan. If we can pressure those companies to stop sending gas to Iran, we can get Iran in the economic equivalent of a half nelson (or economic stranglehold)

Congressional legislation to that effect has just been introduced by Senator Lieberman and others -to sanction any company that helps Iran import gasoline. Last year, British Petroleum figured this was coming. Since it couldn’t run the risk of losing its American business, last year it stopped selling gas to Iran.

If these European, Indian and Japanese companies do stop their Iran trade, others may move into fill the void.  But they will charge Iran more – much more – which in turn puts further pressure on a flailing Iranian economy and drives up the price the average Iranian pays at the pump. That’s bound to make Iranian citizens really mad – two years ago, when the mullahs tried to raise gas prices the people rioted – torching the tanks and taking to the streets.  Hmmmm….doesn’t that sound familiar?…..