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Iran Sanctions: Can They Be Effective?

[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Matthew Levitt - The State and Treasury Departments announced a new package of sweeping unilateral sanctions targeting multiple entities in Iran, including three banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Qods Force, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, several IRGC-affiliated companies, and eight individuals. Can such sanctions be effective in halting Iran's nuclear program? If they are used as part of a comprehensive strategy to create diplomatic leverage, absolutely. Targeted economic sanctions represent the strongest nonmilitary means of changing Tehran's behavior. Although multilateral sanctions are preferable, regional and unilateral sanctions are also very effective. Sanctions do not undermine diplomacy; they create diplomatic leverage. Diplomatic engagement with Iran, whether broad or limited, is severely undermined when Iran is able to pursue its nuclear ambitions, support terrorist groups, and erode security in Iraq and Afghanistan without consequence. The writer is a senior fellow at The Washington Institute and formerly served as deputy assistant secretary for intelligence and analysis at the Treasury Department.
2007-10-26 01:00:00
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