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U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs: â€œWe will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weaponâ€

16 May 2013 09:13 (UTC +04:00)

She said Iran’s nuclear activity – in violation of its international obligations and in defiance of the international community – is one of the greatest global concerns we face: “A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the region, to the world. In confronting this challenge, our policy has been clear: we are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “

“Our preference is to resolve this through diplomacy. However, as President Obama has stated unequivocally, we will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and there should be no doubt that the United States will use all elements of American power to achieve that objective,” she said.

Sherman said Iran exports over 1 million fewer barrels of crude oil each day than it did in 2011, costing Iran between $3-5 billion per month, due to sanctions. All 20 importers of Iranian oil have either significantly reduced or eliminated oil purchases from Iran.

“We also have grave concerns about Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East, particularly its support for Bashar Asad in Syria; its support for terrorist organizations like Hizballah. Iran is the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, which it uses as a strategic tool of its foreign policy,” she said.