Sources close to the American administration told Haaretz on Thursday that the U.S. viewed Turkey's vote against United Nations Iran sanctions as a slap in the face, in light of the efforts put forth by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to enlist global support for the sanctions. Israel and the United States on Wednesday hailed a UN Security Council vote to impose a fourth round of sanctions on a defiant Iran, which immediately vowed to continue with its nuclear program. Turkey and Brazil were the only votes against the sanctions, while Lebanon abstained.
The 15-nation council passed a resolution that was the product of five months of talks between the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia. With 12 votes in favor, it received the least support of the four Iran sanctions resolutions adopted since 2006.
U.S. State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said Wednesday following the vote that "we think coming out of the UN Security Council today is a very strong statement. It was not unanimous. Obviously, it will be up to Turkey and Brazil to explain their votes and their rationale."
"Clearly, we’ve had disagreements over specific tactics, but we will continue to work with Turkey, Brazil and other countries as we go through implementation of 1929," Crowley added, referring to Security Council resolution 1929 which increases the cost to Iran's leadership of their continued defiance of the international community, and aims to persuade Iran that it is in its interest to peacefully resolve concerns about its nuclear program.
Poster Comment:
Well deserved "slap" and it actually should have been a punch...
