Iran Reports Nuclear Progress As Sanctions Loom

Reuters via Yahoo News ^ | 1 Jan 2012 | Parisa Hafezi

[edpc]

TEHRAN (Reuters) - - Iran announced a nuclear fuel breakthrough and test-fired a new radar-evading medium-range missile in the Gulf on Sunday, moves that could further antagonize the West at a time when Tehran is trying to avert harsh new sanctions on its oil industry.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed a law on Saturday imposing tougher financial sanctions to penalize Iran for a nuclear research programme that the West suspects is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

[edpc]

If enforced strictly, the sanctions could make it nearly impossible for most refiners to buy crude from Iran, the world's fourth biggest producer.

However, Obama asked for scope to apply the measures flexibly, and will have discretion to waive penalties.

In other words...they're meaningless.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks edpc.

• Paul: Iran justified in closing Strait of Hormuz
• Joe Klein: Iran Just Wants Nukes 'To Deter Israel'
• Ron Paul: "If I Were an Iranian, I'd Want a Nuclear Weapon"
• Brian Suits on KFI -- discussing Ron Paul and Strait of Hormuz
• Ron Paul: Hamas was started by Israel
• THE AYATOLLAH APPROVES: Ron Paul is First To Criticize Israel and First to Defend Iran
• 2009: Ron Paul Goes On Iranian TV To Attack Israel, Praise Suicide Bombers, Hamas Terrorists
• Ron Paul: "If I Were an Iranian, I'd Want a Nuclear Weapon"
• Ron Paul's War on Israel
• Ron Paul: Sanctions against Iran are 'acts of war'
• Newt Gingrich suggests Ron Paul unprepared, a threat
• Ron Paul: All We Are Doing Is Promoting Iran's Desire To Have a Nuclear Weapon
• Video: Bachmann takes down Ron Paul on Iran (Plus a wrap-up of last night's debate)
• Ron Paul: Iran wants to disrupt world oil supply because we are provoking them
• [LOLzot:] Ron Paul destroys Rick Santorum on Iran During Ames Iowa Debate and all I got was the zot