Iran sanctions: Last throw of diplomatic dice?

New investment by EU companies is being banned, and the list of banned items is being extended to include so-called dual-use equipment - pipes that could be used for military purposes, for example.
There are also other financial measures.
They add to similar action taken by the United States recently. These both go further than four rounds of UN sanctions, all of which avoided taking action against Iran’s energy sector, mainly because of Russian and Chinese objections.
But if they fail to bring Iran to the nuclear negotiating table, what then? Is this the last throw of the diplomatic dice?
Iran steadfast
Already, the distant drum beats heralding war talk are beginning to sound.
In Washington, for example, Gen Michael Hayden - who was head of the CIA from 2006-09 - said that under President George W Bush, an attack on Iran was "way down on our list".
But now, he told CNN, he thought this "may not be the worst of all possible outcomes".
"We engage. They continue to move forward. We vote for sanctions. They continue to move forward. We try to deter, to dissuade. They continue to move forward," he said.
The latest attempt to change Iran’s policy is based on the hope that, in the end, the cost of not negotiating an end to its enrichment of uranium will be too high.
The Iranian government largely depends on oil and gas revenues and, in particular, is short of refined petroleum products, much of which it has to import.
But so far, this approach has not worked. Iran seems to thrive on opposition to pressure. It says it will continue to enrich uranium and denies that it intends to make a nuclear bomb.
It has now suggested restarting talks on the provision of fuel rods for its medical research reactor, but that would not address the basic issue of its enrichment programme.
Loopholes
The new measures will have to be given time to take effect. This means months at least, if not much longer. The US and EU hope that there will be a cumulative impact as more international companies stop doing business with Iran.
And there are huge loopholes in the sanctions. China and Russia refuse to accept measures against oil and gas. China remains one of Iran’s best customers and, faced with the task of feeding and supplying its vast population, will inevitably put its own interests first.
A key point made by Gen Hayden was whether Iran’s critics could live with a formally non-nuclear Iran.
It would be just below the nuclear weapons threshold, where the needle was "not quite in the red", as he put it, but able to break out and make the final steps at short notice.
The general felt they would not. But the alternative, military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, might well provoke a conflagration in the region.
It is likely that Iran will be constantly reminded that there is a negotiating package on offer under which it would be given help to develop a civilian nuclear industry. But it has shown no interest in this.
The stand-off continues.
Americas

Suspect dead, multiple people injured in series of Kentucky shootings

BILD: Ukraine is eagerly awaiting Trump's statement on Russia

US President considers greenlighting new funding for Ukraine

Mexico slams US 30% tariffs as ‘unfair deal’
NEWS FEED
Chelsea routs PSG in stunning Club World Cup final, wins first edition of expanded global tournament
German Chancellor says unhappy with Israel's actions in Gaza, calls situation there unacceptable
Suspect dead, multiple people injured in series of Kentucky shootings
We are preparing our new long-range strikes - Ukrainian President
BILD: Ukraine is eagerly awaiting Trump's statement on Russia
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82
Jannik Sinner wins first Wimbledon title, beats 2-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz
In Yekaterinburg, 31 people poisoned with chlorine
Vision of Century of Türkiye turning into reality, says President Erdogan
NATO's Rutte to meet with Trump in Washington next week
Turkish President: Ankara is closely monitoring the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia launched in Abu Dhabi
Iranian President Pezeshkian was injured in an Israeli air strike last month
Fire in Ankara kills 3 people, including a child, and poisons 20-PHOTO
Russia attacks west Ukraine with drones and missiles, kills two
Hamas demands liquidation of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Yemen's Houthis issue newly minted 50-riyal coin
German economy minister calls for pragmatic solution to tariffs dispute with US
Russian scientists say solar activity up threefold vs July averages
Swiatek beats Anisimova to claim maiden Wimbledon title
European Commission to speed up work on countermeasures to US’ tariffs — Macron
Zimbabwean journalist urges deeper cultural exchanges between Zimbabwe, China
Germany announces new Ramstein meeting
China loses to Japan in East Asian Cup
US President considers greenlighting new funding for Ukraine
Azerbaijani Deputy FM attends Ukraine Recovery Conference -PHOTO
Mexico slams US 30% tariffs as ‘unfair deal’
Putin urges Iran to take 'zero enrichment' nuclear deal with US
Azerbaijani President made call to Turkish counterpart
Iran says it will work with IAEA but inspections may be risky
MEDIA: Reports circulated under names of Azerbaijan’s defense and foreign ministers are fake
EU's von der Leyen warns of countermeasures if U.S. 30% tariffs go ahead
Trump intensifies trade war with 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico
Transitional President of Syria Ahmad Al-Sharaa concludes visit to Azerbaijan
A new phase in Azerbaijan–Syria relations: From diplomatic revival to energy partnership-ANALYSIS
Syria's Transitional President visited grave of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in Alley of Honor
Iranian FM: "Snapback" mechanism will end Europe's role in Iran's nuclear issue
Media: Israel and Syria to hold talks in Baku through Azerbaijan's mediation
France announces ‘historic’ deal creating New Caledonia state that stays French
President: Establishment of the new government in Syria has opened significant prospects for the advancement of ties
President Ilham Aliyev met with Transitional President of Syria-UPDATED
MP: Arrested leaders of Sputnik Azerbaijan have nothing to do with journalism
Azerbaijani PM met with Minister of Energy of Ukraine
Media: Putin supports a complete ban on Iran's uranium enrichment
Azerbaijani gas to be exported to Syria soon
Ahmed Al Sharaa expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan's fraternal support to Syria
Meeting of Azerbaijan-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission held in Baku
US demands clarity from allies on their role in potential war over Taiwan, FT reports
Ukrainian Foreign Minister meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General
North Korean leader received Russian FM
SOCAR and Government of the Syrian Arab Republic sign Memorandum of Understanding