Skip to content

In the Media

IN THE MEDIA

Iran “vulnerable” to sanctions

Jul 29, 2010

Barney Zwartz

The Age – July 29, 2010

IRAN is much more vulnerable to pressure than the West realises, and ratcheting up the pressure with sanctions may halt its nuclear weapons program, according to an Israeli specialist on Iran.

The European Union’s history with Iran taught it that it could mock the West, but sanctions passed on Monday had real teeth, Emanuele Ottolenghi of the Brussels-based Foundation for the Defence of Democracies said in Melbourne yesterday.

But he and David Menashri, director of the Centre of Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, said that pressure would work if resolutely applied, including sanctions, downgrading diplomatic relations, stopping the leaders’ families studying and shopping abroad, and broadcasting into Iran.

”If they get the bomb they won’t use it immediately. They will use it to project their power and create mischief,” Dr Ottolenghi said.

He said the Russians, ostensibly helping Iran with a nuclear reactor and modern missile defence system, were delaying their aid. They did not want a nuclear-armed Iran, but liked to see the Americans sweat.

Dr Menashri said ordinary Iranians were disenchanted at the lack of progress since the revolution toppled the Shah 31 years ago, and change would come from within.

”Frustration is higher now than at any time since the revolution,” Dr Menashri said.

”[Last year’s] election showed the nature of the regime and the level of disillusionment.”

But Iranians were not happy with the world’s reaction.

US President Barack Obama promised support for freedoms, but when the people took to the streets he disappeared for 10 days, Dr Menashri said.

”Now the world, including Australia, is looking at Iran. Such a radical ideology as that espoused by President Ahmadinejad, when it goes with nuclear capability, is something the world cannot tolerate,” he said.

He said that if Iran got the bomb the world would pay a huge political price, including a Middle Eastern arms race.

RELATED ARTICLES


Memorial composed of photos of young Israelis killed during the terrorist attack on the NOVA Festival which took place on October 7, 2023 a few kilometers from Gaza (Image: Jose Hernandez/ Camera 51/ Shutterstock)

The world’s ‘Triple Standard’ against Israel endangers global security

Mar 28, 2024 | Featured, In the media
UNRWA's Gaza headquarters (Image: Shutterstock)

Backing UNRWA will not bring Middle East peace

Mar 20, 2024 | Featured, In the media
(image: Antoni Mantorski/Shutterstock)

Anti-Zionism is an abhorrent ideology, regardless of antisemitism

Mar 19, 2024 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Rise of anti-Semitism echoes older, more dangerous eras

Mar 18, 2024 | Featured, In the media
Fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades (Image: Shutterstock)

This is no time to throw Hamas a lifeline

Mar 15, 2024 | Featured, In the media
Palestine rally in Melbourne, Victoria (Image: Alamy Live News)

Scourge of antisemitism must end

Mar 6, 2024 | Featured, In the media

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

A barrage of words charged with venomous lies targets Australian Jews daily (Image: Shutterstock)

The Last Word: Words – Holy and hateful

The 2020 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ministerial Declaration (Image: US Dept of State)

Europa Europa: Empty words

Mghead2

Biblio File: The Education of an Editor

Memorial composed of photos of young Israelis killed during the terrorist attack on the NOVA Festival which took place on October 7, 2023 a few kilometers from Gaza (Image: Jose Hernandez/ Camera 51/ Shutterstock)

The world’s ‘Triple Standard’ against Israel endangers global security

Image: Abed Rahim Khatib/ Shutterstock

A plan for Gaza

A barrage of words charged with venomous lies targets Australian Jews daily (Image: Shutterstock)

The Last Word: Words – Holy and hateful

The 2020 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Ministerial Declaration (Image: US Dept of State)

Europa Europa: Empty words

Mghead2

Biblio File: The Education of an Editor

Memorial composed of photos of young Israelis killed during the terrorist attack on the NOVA Festival which took place on October 7, 2023 a few kilometers from Gaza (Image: Jose Hernandez/ Camera 51/ Shutterstock)

The world’s ‘Triple Standard’ against Israel endangers global security

Image: Abed Rahim Khatib/ Shutterstock

A plan for Gaza

SORT BY TOPICS