US is not implementing existing sanctions on Iran

Look at what interesting things you can learn from one little boring news item:

 

Norway's Norsk Hydro said yesterday that talks with Iran on developing the Azar oilfield in the Anaran block were continuing and the parties aimed to complete them by end-June after missing an April target.

In case you were wondering why  Norway hurried to recognize the Hamas government of the Palestinians, that might be an explanation.

 

But even more important is this:

 

Steinum said that international political tensions around Iran had made it more difficult to plan for the development.

"Some things would be easier if Iran had a normal relationship with its neighbours and other countries - also from a practical point of view because the contractors and technologies available are more limited since they (Iran) are on a US sanctions list," Steinum said.

The US Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 calls for sanctions against any person or company making investments of $ 20 million or more in Iran in any 12-month period that enhance Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. But to date no sanctions have been imposed.

 

The US has had an effective sanction law in place since 1996, but has not used it. Why are they asking for more sanctions, if they haven't used the ones they have in place, and do not obey their own laws?

 

Ami Isseroff