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


A room in Herod the Great's palace near Jericho (image: Flickr/Ian Scott)

Is UNESCO Going to Erase Jewish History From Another Israeli City?

Sep 11, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR, In the media
Iran Protests (52383779726)

Australia must do more about Iran

Aug 25, 2023 | Featured, Fresh AIR, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Australia’s government has taken an anti-Israel stance

Aug 16, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Labor’s Israel shift is a blow to peace and our credibility

Aug 15, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Ill-conceived posturing on Palestine is undermining Australia’s reputation as a trusted peace broker

Aug 14, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Israel and Palestinian territory divided by the security wall (Image: Shutterstock)

Australia’s Middle East decision ill-conceived

Aug 10, 2023 | Featured, In the media

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Shaking,Hands,Israel,And,Morocco

Morocco and Israel: A disaster underscores how the Abraham Accords have changed the region

Iran Protests (52383779726)

After over 7 months of silence, Government rejects nearly all Senate recommendations on Iran

1J8A7424edit

NSW Parliament pays tribute to AIJAC’s Jeremy Jones, OBM

Image: Twitter

AIJAC welcomes Federal Court judgment in Brighton Secondary College antisemitism case

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes announcement of additional Australian sanctions on Iran

Shaking,Hands,Israel,And,Morocco

Morocco and Israel: A disaster underscores how the Abraham Accords have changed the region

Iran Protests (52383779726)

After over 7 months of silence, Government rejects nearly all Senate recommendations on Iran

1J8A7424edit

NSW Parliament pays tribute to AIJAC’s Jeremy Jones, OBM

Image: Twitter

AIJAC welcomes Federal Court judgment in Brighton Secondary College antisemitism case

Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes announcement of additional Australian sanctions on Iran

SORT BY TOPICS