In a recent talk with university students in Qatar, Secretary Clinton stated that she fears the Revolutionary Guard has gained enough power to effectively supplant the Iranian government. Clinton spoke with students as she toured the region and highlighted the increased influence the Revolutionary Guard has gained in, not only the military and political workings of Iran, but also in the economic dealings of the country. An Iranian construction company, for example, which has recently been the target of US sanctions, is owned and operated by the Revolutionary Guard with a general as its chief officer.
Secretary Clinton also made clear that this observation does not presuppose a US attack; but rather, Clinton urged the world community to come together and back sanctions against the Revolutionary Guard. US efforts to achieve this support have been concentrated on Saudi Arabia and China. China, who has veto power on the UN Security Council, will not back a new schedule of sanctions for fear it will effect the trade it enjoys with Iran. China currently receives 400,000 barrels of oil per day from Iran. In order to assuage these concerns, US diplomats are looking to meetings with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal to encourage trade between Saudi Arabia and China to decrease China’s dependence on Iranian oil.
These new diplomatic efforts for sanctions take place in the shadow of an Iranian government who, as the US is convinced, is attempting to develop nuclear weapon capabilities. With Iran’s recent declaration to increase uranium enrichment and new plans for additional nuclear reactor facilities, Secretary Clinton believes there are enough dangerous signs to point to efforts to weaponize uranium. She stated “[t]he evidence is accumulating that that’s exactly what they are trying to do . . . I would like to figure out a way to handle it in as peaceful an approach possible, and I certainly welcome any meaningful engagement, but . . . we don’t want to be engaging while they are building their bomb.” Read more at BBC.
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