This image from Iranian Television shows a Shahab-3 missile being launched, which officials have said has a range of 1,250 miles and is armed with a 1-ton conventional warhead. Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles Wednesday July 9, 2008 during war games that officials say are in response to U.S. and Israeli threats, state television reported. (AP Photo/Iranian TV via APTN)
It is obvious John McCain hasn't done his homework on the lastest sanctions with Iran.
These missiles have been around for decades, they are nothing new (click here).
There were recent announcements about tighter sanctions against Iran with a focus on its nuclear capacity.
New US nuclear sanctions on Iran (click here)
Page last updated at 18:31 GMT, Tuesday, 8 July 2008 19:31 UK
The US has imposed new financial sanctions on Iranian individuals and companies suspected of involvement in the country's nuclear programme.
A senior defence ministry scientist and several companies thought to be linked to Iran's arms industry were among those placed on the restricted list.
The move will ban US companies from trading with those on the list, who will also have US assets frozen.
It came as G8 leaders called for Iran to halt uranium enrichment work.
Western leaders have been attempting to convince Tehran to stop enriching uranium, which it has continued despite the imposition of sanctions by the UN and the European Union.
Iran denies Western assertions that it is developing nuclear weapons and insists its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes....
McCain has made a profoundly 'true' statement and he should listen to his own words, "Their behavior has obviously not changed..." Very good, Mr. McCain you are absolutely correct, the Iranian behavior in regard to advanced weapon technology hasn't changed. Absolutely correct. They have the same 'dud' missiles they have always had and there is a direct correlation between the Iranian missile capacity and that of North Korea.
With Iranian technology STAGNATING, there is no reason to do anything else except continue to level 'EFFECTIVE' sanctions. McCain, the War Mongering Neocon, is "W"rong again !
McCain rejects Obama's call for upped Iran diplomacy (click here)
8 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Republican White House hopeful John McCain demanded action on tougher sanctions against Iran Wednesday, rejecting Democrat Barack Obama's call for aggressive diplomacy following Tehran's missile tests.
The presidential rivals sketched sharply different approaches after Iran's Revolutionary Guard test-fired a missile capable of reaching Israel, provoking global condemnation and jolting the US presidential race.
"We have lines of communication with the Iranians and they are many," McCain told reporters in Pennsylvania, saying Iran had already been offered a sheaf of incentives to change its ways.
"Their behavior has obviously not changed -- the time has now come for effective sanctions on Iran," McCain said....
IRAN-USA/BURNS-RESPONSE
U.S. Says Iran Reply Shows it Wants Common Ground
Iran is interested in trying to find common ground.
Reuters
Photo: archive
Iran's response last week to a revised package of incentives made by major powers over its nuclear program indicates Tehran is interested in finding "common ground," a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for political affairs William Burns told a House of Representatives panel the thrust of Iran's written and oral response was that it was interested in discussing the issue further.
"Iran is interested in trying to find common ground ... We will see if the Iranians are serious," said Burns.
http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=162981
U.S. official says Iran makes "modest" nuclear progress due to sanctions
2008-07-10 00:38:07
WASHINGTON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. official said Wednesday that Iran has made only "modest" progress in its nuclear program because of the U.N. sanctions.
"While Iran seeks to create the perception of advancement in its nuclear program, real progress has been more modest," U.S. Under Secretary of State for political affairs William Burns said in a testimony to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
If Iran continues its current course, it will face more pressure and sanctions, Burns said.
The United States announced Tuesday to impose new sanctions on four Iranian individuals and four entities for their ties to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the charges. Moreover, Iran has vowed to retaliate if it is attacked by Israel or the United States.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/10/content_8519801.htm
Growth in US exports to Iran surprises lawmakers
By SHARON THEIMER – 7 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Key lawmakers, including Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, criticized the Bush administration Wednesday for increased exports to Iran despite tough talk about its nuclear ambitions and meddling in Iraq.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the value of U.S. exports to Iran has grown significantly during President Bush's years in office — from about $8 million in 2001 to nearly $150 million last year. The exports, made under agricultural, medical and humanitarian exemptions to U.S. trade sanctions, included cigarettes, bull semen, corn, soybeans and medicine, among other goods.
"It's that kind of mixed signal that has led to the kind of situation that we're in right now," Obama said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."
The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Howard Berman, remarked on the growth in U.S. trade during comments on the European Union's recent move to toughen financial sanctions on Iran.
"It's time for them to take far more significant steps along the lines of cutting off all significant commerce with Iran, as we did years ago — or at least I thought we did. I'm not so sure, after yesterday's Associated Press report that U.S. exports to Iran have increased nearly twenty-fold during the Bush administration years, up to nearly $150 million in 2007," Berman, D-Calif., said at a committee hearing Wednesday.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ir8KdsEyRL4d8aTjQKTD3fapykowD91QEQ480
