Western Countries Prepare for Confrontation with Iran

Love | Peace The BBC reports that Washington and other Western capitals are serious about moving from engagement to conrontation with Iran over its nuclear program. The question now is whether sanctions with Iran will be any more effective uder Obama than George W.

A key measure involves targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who are in charge of the nuclear program, withdrawing travel visas and freezing assets. The sentiments are that Moscow is willing to go along with sanctions, but China is being ‘coy’. Leaders are concerned about a Chinese vote against sanctions in the UN Security Council but can live with an abstention, if they must. China has very strong trade and investment in Iran’s oil and gas sector. Read on From engagement to confrontation with Iran BBC News

Update on Wed, February 10, 2010 by Anne

Secretary of State Clinton is heading for the Persian Gulf this weekend, to discuss Iran with officials in the region.

In announcing Secretary Clinton’s trip, the State Department said only that she would speak Feb. 14 at the US-Islamic World Forum, hosted by the Qatari government and the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center. Also, she will meet with Qatar’s emir and foreign minister. And in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 15-16, she will meet with King Abdullah bin Abdul al-Saud and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal. via Christian Science Monitor