Today the United Nations Security Council voted 12-2 in approval of a resolution sanctioning Iran.  By enhancing restrictions on the nuclear program, but also on the regime's financial interests and military program, the sanctions approved by the Security Council are designed to place new pressure on Iran to address the international community's concerns with its nuclear activities. This internationally-backed sanctions package blocks new categories of conventional arms sales to Iran; targets the Revolutionary Guard; and tightens the net around nuclear transfers.  It is an extraordinary accomplishment for US diplomacy over the past year - and a reversal of years of major-power reluctance to support US calls for action.  By working to put Iran outside of a rough international consensus, the administration has placed the regime under tangible pressure and scrutiny, and it now has little ability to mask its intransigence. 

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As international negotiations continue with Iran over its nuclear program, lawmakers in Washington have introduced several pieces of legislation to implement significant unilateral sanctions. But while some argue that the threat of increased sanctions will strengthen the Obama administrations diplomatic hand, the advancement of such sanctions is not a zero cost game and may even have the opposite effect. The strategic approach that the administration has pursued on Iran, where it has implemented smart sanctions alongside effective multilateral diplomacy buttressed by effective communication with the Iranian people - will be affected by any Congressional action on sanctions. Policy makers must be careful to ensure that such moves will not undermine the President and the current state of diplomacy with Iran.

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Yesterday in Geneva negotiations between Iran and diplomats from the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China, and Germany--the so-called P5+1-- got off to a promising start. Iran preliminarily agreed to: let international inspectors into the previously-secret enrichment facility and Qom within two weeks; give up most of its stockpile of uranium; and intensify talks in the coming weeks. The results from yesterday’s meetings demonstrate that the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen the global nonproliferation regime are also building support for its hardheaded policy towards Iran. Yet despite robust evidence of international legitimacy and support for the administration’s approach – as well as real results – conservatives are fuming.

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