Editorial: Economic sanctions next step against Iran

San Antonio Express-News:

Web Posted: 08/13/2005 12:00 AM CDT

The decision by Iran's fundamentalist leaders to resume uranium enrichment is an ominous new development in that country's nuclear effort.

At low levels of enrichment, uranium is used for fuel in nuclear power plants. At higher levels, it can be used to create nuclear weapons.

In the three years since Iranian dissidents revealed the existence of a covert nuclear program in Iran, the international community has struggled to contain Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Preoccupied with developments in Iraq, the United States has let a trio of European nations — Britain, France and Germany — and the International Atomic Energy Agency take the diplomatic lead.

Their efforts have consisted of economic incentives for good Iranian behavior and a series of agreements the Iranian regime has repeatedly abrogated.

The mullahs have engaged in what experts call "salami tactics" — shaving off only a little bit at a time in their violations, yet constantly advancing their now-acknowledged nuclear program to a point where it can easily be converted to military use.

Iranian possession of nuclear weapons holds profound consequences. Iran's non-nuclear Arab neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, would feel compelled to develop their own nuclear deterrent. Iran's intricate relationship with international terror, notably Hezbollah, would put the entire world at risk.

After three years of failed talks and inducements, the time has come for a different approach. The European troika and the IAEA should refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council for economic sanctions.

If, as is probable, Russia or China obstructs that effort, the European Union and the United States should impose their own multilateral sanctions.

After economic sanctions to dissuade Iran's nuclear ambitions, there remain only two unpalatable alternatives.

The first is a military option to degrade or destroy Iran's nuclear research facilities. The second is acquiescence in allowing Tehran's extremists to place their fingers on the nuclear trigger.