U.S. Preps Sanctions Against Iran

President Obama gave Iran a 10-month year-end deadline to shape up on the nuclear issue, and with time running out, his administration is beginning to draw up sanctions, which will target the Iranian government, particularly those branches involved in the brutal crackdown on Iranian protesters. The U.S. is likely to pursue targeted sanctions in the U.N. Security Council with allies and also unilaterally. The pressure imposed on Iran will be intended to force it back into negotiations. Although the prospective sanctions have not yet been unveiled, the Obama administration has already taken a more aggressive posture toward Iran: Obama interrupted his Hawaiian vacation to condemn Tehran for its reaction to protesters shot by security forces.