After the embassy incursion: Germany must not block financial sanctions against Iran tomorrow

US expert: The Central Bank is Iran’s most important remaining connection to the international markets
On Thursday, December 1, the EU foreign ministers will meet to discuss further sanctions against Iran. There are reports that Germany wants to block sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI). By contrast, France supports sanctions against the CBI and the UK already adopted them on November 21, 2011. [1]Avi Jorisch, former Policy Advisor at the US Treasury Department's office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, comments: „Germany must support the initiative of its Western allies to sanction the Central Bank of Iran. The CBI is Iran’s most important remaining connection to the international markets. Sanctioning it would greatly decrease the regime’s ability to acquire crucial financial and technological resources. Now is the time for a strong sign of international unity and determination against the global threat of a nuclear-armed Iranian regime.” The oil sanctions supported by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle would be an important measure, but they must not be played out against sanctioning the CBI. Iran ranks only on place 14 of Germany’s oil suppliers [2], while Germany is still Iran’s most important Western trade partner and technology provider. Michael Spaney, spokesperson for the campaign STOP THE BOMB, adds: “It looks as if Germany still refrains from drastically increasing the pressure on the Iranian regime. Germany has still exported goods worth 2.3 billion Euros to Iran this year until September.” Especially the outrageous storming of the British embassy in Tehran must be followed by a determined European reaction. The violent riots were obviously tolerated or initiated by the regime and were aimed against new sanctions. Any sign of weakness and disunity after this provocation would signal Tehran that violence works, and that it can continue not only with its nuclear program, but also with brutally oppressing the Iranian opposition and supporting international terrorism.
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