Tehran, Jan 25, IRNA - Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton has said that threats and sanctions against Iran had no effects on the country as Tehran does not believe them.Bolton, known for his controversial views on foreign policy, made the remarks while criticizing US President Barack Obamas policy regarding Tehran in a recent interview with Arutz Sheva, a media network of Israel.
Its time for the US to step up its offensive against Irans nuclear program, said the former ambassador often described as a neoconservative.
'When I began to work on the Iranian nuclear program over 14 years ago, we thought we could force Iran to give up the program using comprehensive, strict, strongly enforced economic sanctions, and a credible threat of military force,' Bolton said adding, 'But over the almost 15 years now, the sanctions have been ineffective, the military force has been weak, and I don't think there's time now for sanctions to work.'
'The pressure that's on Iran now is due to the collapse of international oil prices - not the sanctions, and certainly not fear of the United States,' said the former US diplomat who believes Israel should have attacked Iran 'yesterday.'
Bolton, a tough critic of what he calls President Obamas Policy of Appeasement vis--vis Iranians, said he is concerned that the US President will give 'full diplomatic recognition' to Iran.
According to Bolton the international community is now limited to two 'very unattractive' choices: Iran gaining full nuclear weapons access and capability - which he states is the most likely possibility - or a strong show of military force against the program.
However, he said Iranians have no fear of US all options on the table.
'I think the President has said for some time that all options are on the table with respect to Iran's nuclear weapons program, but nobody really believes it. Worst of all, the Iranians don't believe it.'
'Sanctions work in limited circumstances in the best of times, and Iran is really past that.'
By IRNA
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