Tuesday, December 26, 2006

U.N. places sanctions on Iran over nuke issue while U.S. is increasing forces in the region

Joe in DC, AmericaBlog: See, the U.S. is trying the diplomatic route against Iran. Really:

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and ballistic missiles, a move aimed at getting Tehran to halt uranium enrichment work.

"Today we are placing Iran in the small category of states under Security Council sanctions," acting U.S. Ambassador Alejandro Wolff told the council before the 15-0 vote.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who was successful in watering down parts of the resolution, emphasized that the resolution did not permit any use of force.

Diplomacy. But, then there was that report earlier this week of military build-up in the Gulf . Hmmm:

The United States and Britain will begin moving additional warships and aircraft into the Gulf region in a display of military resolve toward Iran that would come as the United Nations debates possible sanctions against it, according to military officials.

The officials said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Robert Gates was expected to approve a request by commanders for a second aircraft carrier and its supporting ships to be stationed within quick sailing distance of Iran by early next year.

Just because the U.N. said no use of force doesn't mean that Bush sees it that way. We've been down this path before. And, it's not a good path.

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