US Sanctions on Iran "Not Effective"

Source: Alalam TV, 23-03-2008
TEHRAN--A top US expert on the Middle East said that the sanctions against Iran do not affect the Islamic Republic's oil and gas export to other countries.
Speaking to Alalam Sunday, Kenneth Katzman, a specialist in Middle East affairs for the Congressional Research Service, said the recent gas export deal between Iran and Switzerland was a blow to US efforts to impose sanctions on Iran.
The US official noted though the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic include the energy sector, new investments in the fields of research, excavation and extraction of oil and gas, it does not include oil and gas exports.
Katzman further noted that the reason behind the US' negative stance towards the 25-year gas export contract between Iran and Switzerland, which is worth $10 billion, is the fact that the deal is a lucrative one for the Islamic Republic.
Iran and Switzerland have recently signed a major agreement on Iranian gas exports to a Swiss company.
The deal comes despite US pressure on European countries to cut their business ties with Tehran as a means to force the Islamic Republic to give up uranium enrichment activities.
Switzerland is a country with few energy resources of its own and has also said Europe needs to diversify its energy imports away from Russia towards other exporters like Iran.
Katzman also admitted to the US defeat in the war against Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the Bush's decision to go into war was not prudent.
He said that the US' biggest challenge in the Middle East is Iran and its peaceful nuclear program.