Sanctions deprive Iran of power base

Iran repeatedly threatened on Monday to block the Strait of Hormuz - of strategic importance for oil supplies - if the international community doesn't relax the sanctions against the country's nuclear build-up: The liberal daily Dagens Nyheter says the sanctions should be left in place: "Sanctions are a blunt weapon and also affect civilians. Nonetheless they are the only weapon available right now. No one is saying that Iran will bow to the pressure. But firstly the international community must make clear that it means business. And secondly the increased pressure on the regime, which is known to neglect the economy, can deprive it of this basis for its power. It's easy to reject nuclear weapons in general. To accept them in the hands of the unpredictable Iranian dictatorship is impossible."

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