Sanctions threat by US 'meant to pacify Israel'

Dubai: Iran on Thursday dismissed warnings of sanctions issued by US, if the new nuclear dialogue fails, saying they were meant to "pacify" Israel after the politically explosive statements of Iranian president against Israel earlier this week in Geneva.

Also, analysts in Tehran strongly believe the warning wouldn't influence Washington's outreach towards Tehran and prospects of holding direct contacts with Tehran in future.

"In Iran, they didn't give attention to the statement [of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton]," Ameer Musawi, a researcher at the Strategic Studies Centre in Tehran, said.

Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Clinton said the Obama administration is prepared to push for tough sanctions against Iran if the new dialogue fails.

"We actually believe that by following the diplomatic path we are on, we gain credibility and influence with a number of nations who would have to participate in order to make the sanctions regime as tight and as crippling as we would want it to be," Clinton said.

Clinton's statement came to "pacify" Israel, Musawi told Gulf News, "especially that this statement came after the fiery speech of Ahmadinejad."

"It could be looked at as an act of solidarity, that the US is still supporting Israel, particularly after differences emerged between the two sides over the peace process," he explained.

During the anti-racism conference, dubbed "Durban II," President Ahmadinejad called Israel "the most cruel and repressive racist regime."

His speech was met with protests and several EU delegates walked out of the meeting in support of Israel.

As a sign that Clinton's statements should be taken lightly, Musawi said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana contacted Iranian negotiator Said Jalili on Wednesday evening, after Tehran responded favourably to a call from major powers (5+1) to resume dialogue on its controversial nuclear programme.

According to EU spokesperson, Solana and Jalili "discussed the possibility of organising an experts' meeting soon," on resuming international talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. Western powers accuse Iran of planning to develop nuclear weapons - a charge denied by Tehran. However, Iran has stressed it will continue its nuclear activities, which it says are for peaceful purposes.

Meanwhile, the US is approaching the anticipated direct talks with Iran "cautiously, slowly and carefully," as there are parties that are not at ease with the face-to-face talks, including Israel and some US-allies in the Arab region, according to analysts in Tehran.

"They [Americans] need to pave the way before reaching the point of talking [with the Iranians]," Musawi said.