By Adam Levine
Severe sanctions against Iran are not working, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East says.
Gen. James Mattis of Central Command made the statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday.
"In your professional opinion, are the current diplomatic and economic efforts to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability - are they working?" Sen. James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, asked.
"No, sir," Mattis replied.
Mattis later told Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, that Iran's "nuclear industry continues."
"I think we have to continue sanctions, but have other options ready," Mattis replied.
Mattis said Iran might be able to be swayed by "a purely cost-benefit ratio."
"Between economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and encouragement of behavior that does not cost them such a degree of political support that they end up losing power, there may yet be a way to bring them to their senses," Mattis said.
Asked by Graham if the only other option is bringing them "to their knees," Mattis responded, "yes, sir."
"The means, there are a number of means to do that, perhaps even short of open conflict. But certainly that's one of the options that I have to have prepared for the president," the Central Command chief said.
Secretary of State John Kerry told CNN's Jill Dougherty in an interview conducted in Doha, Qatar, that the United States was willing to sit down with Iran, but the country needs to prove it has only peaceful purposes for its nuclear program.
Over the weekend, Iran's ambassador to the United States told CNN's Fareed Zakaria that Iran was open to direct talks.
"I'm willing to do what the president instructs me to do, and the president calls that shot. But he has already made it crystal clear, going back several years, that the president is prepared to engage with Iran," Kerry said in his first interview with CNN since becoming secretary of state.
"He prefers a diplomatic solution to any kind of military option. And he has said that he is prepared to engage in bilateral conversation. So that option is open."
Iran's ambitions were also the focus of a meeting between Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak at the Pentagon on Tuesday.
Hagel said the United States believes the "window is closing" on diplomacy, according to a summary of the meeting provided by the Pentagon.
https://m.snek.ai/redirect?url=http://makemoneymommas.com/
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
http://msichat.de/redir.php?url=https://www.fleetservicerepairshop.com/
It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
I'm more than happy to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to look at new things in your site.
http://cas-01.c3rb.net/montargis/login?service=http://www.ocrv.world&gateway=true
Unquestionably consider that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to have in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider issues that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you
Great blog you've got here.. Itís difficult to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
http://gomag.com/?id=73&aid=&cid=&move_to=https://ocrv.info
I was very pleased to find this website. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and I have you saved as a favorite to see new things in your web site.
Iím amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog thatís equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something relating to this.
https://smootheat.com/contact/report?url=https://ocrvmotorsports.net
You made some really good points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
http://webredirect.garenanow.com/?p=gp&lang=en&url=https://www.ocrvfleetservices.com
I'm extremely pleased to uncover this web site. I need to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and I have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff in your web site.
http://old.nepalimmigration.gov.np/site/languages/languageA/3?url=http://www.ocrvmotorsports.org
always i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading at this place.
This site was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something which helped me. Thanks!
https://pinktower.com/?https://www.fleetautorepairshop.com
Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this website conations actually good funny material too.
We're a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
continuously i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading now.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for providing these details.
http://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/redirect?openagent&url=http://ocrvcenter.biz/
Hurrah, that's what I was searching for, what a material! present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web site.
https://assets9.elephone.hk/static/redirect?url=http://ocrvcenter.com/
My brother suggested I would possibly like this website. He used to be totally right. This submit truly made my day. You cann't imagine simply how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
http://gals.graphis.ne.jp/mkr/out.cgi?id=04489&go=https://www.ocrvexperts.com
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this web page, and your views are nice in support of new viewers.
http://smartcalltech.co.za/fanmsisdn?id=22&url=http://ocrv.store/
This piece of writing will assist the internet visitors for setting up new web site or even a weblog from start to end.
https://www.bylit.cat/cat/Descarregues.php?acc=d&id=1&url=http://ocrv.me/
This is a topic which is near to my heart... Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
https://maned.com/scripts/lm/lm.php?tk=CQkJZWNuZXdzQGluZm90b2RheS5jb20JW05ld3NdIE1FSSBBbm5vdW5jZXMgUGFydG5lcnNoaXAgV2l0aCBUd2l4bCBNZWRpYQkxNjcyCVBSIE1lZGlhIENvbnRhY3RzCTI1OQljbGljawl5ZXMJbm8=&url=http://newportcatalina.com
http://old.yansk.ru/redirect.html?link=https://ocrvart.com
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this web site needs far more attention. Iíll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!
http://www2.golflink.com.au/out.aspx?frm=gglcmicrosite&target=https://www.www.ocrvshop.com
Has anyone ever been to E-Cig Room Vape Store located in 1922 Zero Street?
https://godotengine.org/qa/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=cannadipscbd6434
hi!,I really like your writing so much! percentage we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL? I need an expert on this house to unravel my problem. Maybe that's you! Having a look forward to peer you.
http://www.edina.com.ec/guia-telefonica/setUrl.ashx?u=https://ocrvcenter.mobi/