Support Israel, Are sunctions on Iran working?

[alfred dilamani]

I want to update you on the impact of the critical Iran sanctions that you were so instrumental in enacting. Since President Obama signed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Divestment and Accountability Act into law a few weeks ago, we have already seen tangible results in three important ways:

 

Major, multi-national corporations are leaving Iran and ceasing their business operations in the Islamic Republic.

Nations once friendly to Tehran have changed their behavior to avoid U.S. sanctions. Moreover, many other countries have followed America’s lead and increased pressure on the regime.  Law firms have issued legal briefs to their clients about the strength of these sanctions and are advising them not to conduct business in the Islamic Republic.

 

The momentum generated by the signing of this law has been remarkable. But the centrifuges are still spinning. Our work is far from over. Now is the time to encourage those who care about Israel to become more active and finally do something.

 

These sanctions will eventually cost the regime billions of dollars of revenue that it uses to build its nuclear program, finance terror and attack U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The initial results have been promising and the pressure is mounting, and you need to do your job by contacting your member of Congress.

 

Iran is feeling the impact of tough sanctions.

 

A few weeks ago, the International Energy Agency evaluated the impact of Iran sanctions. It said: “Tougher U.S. sanctions aimed at squeezing Iran's energy and banking sectors have deepened the Islamic Republic's international isolation and significantly reduced its sources of fuel.”

 

Major energy traders have announced that they have stopped selling refined petroleum to Iran. Since July 1, to avoid U.S. sanctions, France’s Total has stopped selling Iran refined petroleum while England’s BP and Holland’s Royal Dutch Shell have stopped providing the Islamic Republic jet fuel.

 

The sanctions have also limited the Islamic Republic from being able to develop their own oil and natural gas fields. Recently, a South Korean company—GS Engineering and Construction—pulled out of a $1.89 billion contract to develop an Iranian natural gas field and Spain’s Repsol announced that it would abandon planned investments in Iran’s energy sector.

 

But the impact goes beyond energy and construction companies. The world’s premier maritime insurance broker—Lloyd’s of London—announced that it would no longer issue insurance for any vessels shipping petroleum to the Islamic Republic. “The U.S. is an important market for Lloyd's and, in recognition of this, the market will not insure or re-insure refined petroleum going into Iran,” said Lloyd’s of London General Counsel Sean McGovern.

 

It is not just corporations that are changing course to avoid U.S. sanctions but other nations as well. South Korea has stopped its export credit agency from providing export credit to any South Korean company doing business in Iran. And the United Arab Emirates’ central bank has ordered financial institutions in the country to freeze accounts belonging to certain firms linked to Iran.

 

What does all of this mean?

 

These sanctions are already having a significant impact on the Islamic Republic. However, other companies will seek to take advantage of the void left by Western companies leaving Iran. Corporations based in Turkey and China, for example, have already started to make inroads into the Iranian market. That is why it is essential for the President and his administration to implement these sanctions vigorously. The full implementation of the law will dramatically change how Iran conducts its day-to-day operations and press the regime to evaluate its economic viability and international credibility if it continues to build a nuclear weapon.

 

This law will place additional pressure on Iran and force the regime to make a choice: Pursue a nuclear weapons capability or be an active and welcome participant in the world community.

 

We  need to support Israel!

We Jews in the diaspora need Israel more than Israel need us.

 

It is time for you to make a difference by sending an email to your Member of Congress or even tho the White House or the State Department. We must ensure that this law is fully implemented and that we exhaust the available economic options to stop Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.

 

To send an email, click on the link http://www.aipac.org/694.asp#37956   and scroll down the page and select email to Senator or member of Congress.

Email to President Obama, click on  http://emailthepresident.com/  choose the president and any member of his cabinet.

 

Also, give yourself a gift and become a member of AIPAC.  Visit www.aipac.org to become a member. Do something for yourself and future Jewish generations.

 

Alfred Dilamani