Talks, not sanctions

By saddling unilateral sanctions on Iran, the United States is putting its domestic law above international law and the norms guarding international relations. Such a self-serving move will only add uncertainties to solving the Iranian nuclear crisis, which is showing signs of abating thanks to the international efforts to engage Teheran in talks and negotiations.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington would exempt seven economies including India, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Turkey from an Iranian oil embargo under its national defense authorization act for 2012. So far 18 economies have been granted such an "honor" as Washington moves to impose sanctions on importing Iranian oil later this month. China is noticeably not included in the US exemption list.

The sanctions aim to throttle Iran's alleged nuclear program by cutting its funding from oil revenues. But by seeking to impose its own will on others, the US is impairing the interests of other countries who have normal economic ties with Iran.