Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Monday expressed doubts about the usefulness of more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
Prince Saud Al Faisal told a news conference in the Saudi capital that the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions demands a more immediate solution than sanctions. He described sanctions as a long-term solution, and he said the threat is more pressing.
The Saudi minister spoke at a joint appearance with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is in the Arabian Gulf to shore up support for new sanctions against Iran. The Saudi minister also said efforts supported by the US to rid the Middle East of nuclear weapons must apply to Israel.
"Sanctions are a long-term solution," the Saudi minister said. "But we see the issue in the shorter term because we are closer to the threat," referring to Iran. "We need immediate resolution rather than gradual resolution."
He didn't identify a preferred short-term resolution.
US officials traveling with Clinton said privately they were uncertain what al-Faisal meant, since the Saudi government has been explicit in its support of sanctions against Iran. They said he appeared to be suggesting that sanctions may not be effective and that other action could be required.
Was Clinton's visit to the Gulf successful in winning support for sanctions? Are sanctions an effective way to curb Iranian nuclear enrichment? Or does the West have to come to terms with a nuclear Iran?
