News / Middle East

Obama: Iran 'More Isolated Than Ever'

President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 24, 2012.
TEXT SIZE - +

U.S. President Barack Obama says the world is united in its response to Iran, leaving the country "more isolated than ever" and its leaders facing "crippling" sanctions.

The president said in an address to the nation Tuesday that he will not rule out any option for preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but that the issue can be resolved peacefully.

"But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations."

The president said the pressure on Iran will continue as long as it fails to live up to its responsibilities.

The United States and other Western nations have stepped up a campaign of sanctions against Iran, which they accuse of trying to develop a nuclear weapon.  Iran denies the charge.

The sanctions include a ban on Iranian oil imports and measures targeting the country's banking system.  The United Nations has also imposed four rounds of sanctions against Iran.

Iran has threatened to respond to new sanctions by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital pathway for global oil supplies.  The United States has warned it will not tolerate such a move.

Iranian officials said Tuesday the latest Western sanctions will not work, and could even benefit Iran by leading to higher prices for Iranian crude.

Join the conversation on our social journalism site - Middle East Voices. Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter and discuss them on our Facebook page.

You May Like

Video Egypt's Conservative Rural Vote Appears Split

Early speculation after the first two-day round is showing a race too close to call More

NATO Continues Plans for Missile Defense

While Afghanistan dominated talks in Chicago, member states also reaffirmed their commitment to ballistic-missile defense More

War Declared on Invasive Leaping Asian Carp

When Asian carp were first imported decades ago, few foresaw their environmental impact. More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one
Middle East Voices

Middle East Monitor: Speculating Who is Ahead in Egypt

More

Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi Appears to Take Early Election Lead

More

Morsi, Shafiq Emerging as Possible Frontrunners in Egypt Presidential Poll

More
Read more