US seeks arms embargo on Iran

LA Times:

The Bush administration, trying to increase pressure on Iran, called Friday for an international embargo on sales of arms to Tehran until the regime agrees to suspend its nuclear program.

Undersecretary of State R. Nicholas Burns said the United States believed it was "time for countries to use their leverage," including banning the sale of arms and "dual use" technologies that could be employed in Tehran's nuclear program to generate electricity or make a weapon.

Burns singled out Russia, a longtime military supplier to Iran that has announced its plans to proceed with a $900-million sale of Tor M-1 antiaircraft missiles over U.S. objections.

"It doesn't stand to reason that Russia would continue with the arms sale, particularly of the type envisioned, Tor missiles," said Burns, the administration's point man on the Iran issue. "Iran is a country that is violating every international agreement it's made on the nuclear issue…. We hope and trust that the deal will not go forward."

But Russian officials Friday repeated their intention to deliver the weapons, which they said were not the subject of any international sanctions.

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Russia is arming a hostile power and should be treated accordingly. If the Russians make it more difficult to deal with Iran's nukes there has to be a reason. It is certainly not becuase Russia wants to be helpful in reducting the Iranian threat.