Sanction Iran Broadly

In light of Iran’s continuing defiance of the UN Security Council, the 27 EU countries have announced implementation of UN sanctions against Iran, banning the sale of nuclear and missile related materials and technology and freezing the assets of 10 Iranian companies and individuals. These steps pointedly do not hinder Europe’s massive investment in Iranian energy.*

In light of Iran’s continuing defiance of the UN Security Council, the 27 EU countries have announced implementation of UN sanctions against Iran, banning the sale of nuclear and missile related materials and technology and freezing the assets of 10 Iranian companies and individuals. These steps pointedly do not hinder Europe’s massive investment in Iranian energy.*

Good for starters, but targeting ONLY at the nuclear program ignores the broader problem of Iran under the mullahs. Yes, Iran’s president is a Holocaust denier and advocate of genocide against Jews, but rest of the Iranian government is also an egregious violator of human rights at home and supporter of terrorism abroad. Iran’s nuclear program was started 30 years ago by someone else. Its behavior recalls the Soviet Union – so we turn to Natan Sharansky for guidance. In The Jerusalem Post he suggested the West remember what changed Soviet behavior and led to its demise.

• “Just as no Soviet official, including sport and cultural delegations, could travel without being accosted by protests and hostile questions, so it should be with anyone representing the Iranian regime… (this) will not (itself) change Iranian behavior, but (is) critical to creating a climate that will influence the policies of Western governments.” Every American diplomat had the names of “refuseniks” to mention to Soviet officials.
• “An inventory of the governments and companies that provide Iran with refined oil, huge trade deals … should be taken and public pressure be put on them to end their complicity with a regime that is racing to genocide.” Even without a ban “civilian” deals, the public should have enough information to make an informed judgment – the American people made their view of French policies well understood, and an informal boycott of Chinese goods had the Chinese government complaining about “General Wal-Mart.”
• “The pension funds of U.S. states should be divested from all companies that trade with or invest in Iran.” Public opinion is important here as well.
• “Every party to the Genocide Convention should be called upon to fulfill its obligation under that treaty and seek an indictment of President Ahmadinejad on the charge of incitement to genocide, which is a ‘punishable offense’ under Article III.”
• “Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch… must be challenged… to press for enforcement of the Genocide Treaty, to stand up for human rights in Iran, and to oppose and expose Iranian support for terrorism.”

We would add that a confident West would broadcast 24-7 to the Iranian people a) the truth about their government and their region and b) our support in their struggle. During the Cold War concerned ourselves with Soviet nukes, Soviet mistreatment of its own citizens and Soviet meddling abroad – we should be able to do no less now for Iran.

*Note: There is already a ban on the sale of weapons to Iran. However, the London Daily Telegraph reports this week that more than 800 sophisticated rifles sold to Iran by an Austrian company in 2006 have been found by U.S. and British forces in Iraq. The Austrian government approved the sale over the objections of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, which said they could be used against coalition troops. The Austrian government took the side of the arms dealers who said the guns would be used against narcotics smugglers!