U.S., Washington, Jan. 29 / Trend N.Bogdanova /
The international community's sanctions against Iran demonstrate its effectiveness, said Michael Ratney, the spokesman for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs of the U.S. State Department.
"The international community, both through U.N. Security Council resolutions and other measures, has imposed a variety of sanctions on Iran for its failure to meet international obligations," he said in an interview with Trend .
Iran's isolation is connected with the preparation of a nuclear program, which is condemned by the international community. The U.N. Security Council adopted five resolutions demanding Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. They put forward the demand to suspend uranium enrichment and warnings. On Nov. 27, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France + Germany) submitted a draft resolution on Iran to the IAEA Board. The resolution was approved by 25 of 35 member-countries.
According to Ratney, as a result of these efforts, the cost of doing business with Iran has increased dramatically.
"For example, Iran's credit risk rating has gone up, and many banks have stopped issuing letters of credit to companies seeking to do business with Iran. Numerous large international banks have responded to growing concerns about Iran by ceasing or significantly reducing their business with Iran," he added.
Ratney said consistent with the U.N. Security Council's call on member states, the EU has also adopted measures to limit granting export credits.
"As a result, a number of European countries have worked successfully to reduce their export credit exposure to Iran," he said.
Iran has nonetheless failed to modify its policies and meet its IAEA and UNSC obligations, he believes.
"We continue to seek a negotiated solution, but Iran must recognize that there are consequences to its continued refusal to accept its international obligations," Ratney said.
Currently, the U.N. Security Council's permanent members are discussing new sanctions against Iran. The international community is likely to unite against Iran's nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said during her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov within the framework of the London Conference on Afghanistan. In turn Lavrov stressed that Iran's position on its nuclear program disappointed them. U.N. Security Council permanent member China is not interested in new sanctions against Iran.
The U.S. Congress passed a new bill on Iran. The bill is currently debated in the White House, and upon approval will enter the force. Under the new law, the companies involved in the sale, transit and insurance of gasoline in Iran, will be embargoed.
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