WarSclerotic

Russia won’t sanction Iran, US urges Israel not to attack.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday resisted pressure from visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join other world powers in imposing “severe and paralyzing” sanctions on Iran.

Netanyahu had hoped to impress upon Medvedev that time has run out for more gentle diplomatic efforts, considering how close Iran is today to producing a nuclear weapon.

Officials in Netanyahu’s entourage who spoke to the Israeli media tried to put a positive spin on the meeting’s outcome, insisting that regardless of a lack of a firm commitment by Medvedev to oppose Iran’s nuclear program, they are sure the Russian leader will ultimately do the right thing.

Netanyahu also brought up Russia’s sale of an advanced anti-aircraft missile system to Iran, after Russian defense officials on Sunday defended providing the Islamic Republic with such a weapon. The S-300 air defense system would make it all the more difficult for Israel to militarily intervene in Iran’s nuclear program, if it becomes necessary.

Meanwhile, visiting US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen told his Israeli hosts that he continues to view a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a very bad idea.

Mullen suggested that the consequences of such action would be just as bad as Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

AP – Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister

Prince Saud al-Faisal delivers a
statement during a joint news conference …

By ROBERT BURNS, AP National Security Writer Robert Burns, Ap National Security Writer – Mon Feb 15, 6:37 pm ET

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Monday expressed doubts about the usefulness of more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

Prince Saud al-Faisal told a news conference in the Saudi capital that the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions demands a more immediate solution than sanctions. He described sanctions as a long-term solution, and he said the threat is more pressing.

The Saudi minister spoke at a joint appearance with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is in the Persian Gulf to shore up support for new sanctions against Iran. The Saudi minister also said efforts supported by the U.S. to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons must apply to Israel.

“Sanctions are a long-term solution,” the Saudi minister said. “But we see the issue in the shorter term because we are closer to the threat,” referring to Iran. “We need immediate resolution rather than gradual resolution.”

He didn’t identify a preferred short-term resolution.

U.S. officials traveling with Clinton said privately they were uncertain what al-Faisal meant, since the Saudi government has been explicit in its support of sanctions against Iran. They said he appeared to be suggesting that sanctions may not be effective and that other action could be required.