US Backing Off Threat of ‘Crippling Sanctions’ Against Iran

White House May Block Congressional Sanctions

As America’s ultimatum against the Iranian government will end tonight and, as expected, saw no successful resolution. The Obama Administration has promised new sanctions against Iran in January, but various reports have them toning down the scope of those sanctions.

Instead of the “crippling” sanctions Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others had threatened, the administration is said to be leaning toward a more watered down series of resolutions, aimed at specific Iranian government departments.

While the US is normally eager for new sanctions, the recent anti-government protests by the Green Revolution group, which the State Department has previously admitted to supporting, has them worried about the possibility of alienating the Iranian public at such a key time.

In fact, the administration is expected to attempt to block the Congressional sanctions, which the Senate has promised to move on as soon as it gets back from holiday recess. Those sanctions aimed at destroying Iran’s ability to make or import refined petroleum, a move which could do serious harm to the already struggling Iranian economy.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.