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US security chief Bolton vows to ‘squeeze’ Iran
SINGAPORE, Nov 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US National Security Advisor John
Bolton vowed Tuesday to “squeeze” Iran “until the pips squeak”, a week after
a tough new round of sanctions came into force.
President Donald Trump has dramatically increased pressure on Tehran,
withdrawing from an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear
programme and introducing several rounds of unilateral US sanctions.
The latest tranche of measures have been touted as the toughest yet, and
aim to significantly reduce Iran’s vital oil exports and cut off its banks
from international finance. Speaking in Singapore ahead of a summit, Bolton
said: “We think the government is under real pressure and it’s our intention
to squeeze them very hard.
“As the British say, squeeze them until the pips squeak.
“We are also going to significantly increase the enforcement of
sanctions.”
The sanctions have been opposed by other parties to the deal aimed at
ending Iran’s nuclear drive — Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia —
who have vowed to keep the accord alive.
UN inspectors say Iran is abiding by the agreement.
Washington is demanding that Iran end policies rooted in the 1979 Islamist
revolution, including its support for regional proxies such as the Lebanese
militia Hezbollah and its development of missiles.
The only support for the US position has come from Iran’s regional rivals,
notably Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the sanctions will cause
Iran’s economy to contract 1.5 percent this year and 3.6 percent next year.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1307 hrs