CaspianReport

Politics behind the sanctions against Iran (2012x2)

Data emisji: Sty 28, 2012

Despite the fact that Iran sits on some of the largest reserves of crude oil, Iran still import a third of its gasoline to keep up with domestic demand. This has to do with Iran's lack of oil refineries and growing population. So sanctions on gasoline is the Achilles' heel of Iran, and it could have devastating effects on the Iranian government. Any form of "crippling sanctions" against Iran will target Iran's gasoline imports. The only loophole is Russia. Moscow pursues its own interests and that is to keep the U.S. bogged down in the Middle East while Russia reasserts its influence in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Unless the U.S. can make concrete concession on Eurasia geopolitics, Russia will keep using Iran as a bargaining chip.