Update on Iran

By Leela Gilbertson

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

After the last few weeks of financial crisis in Iran, it does not look like it will let up any time soon. Now European countries have increased their sanctions against Iran. The sanctions are coming from the European Union. Their hope is by creating sanctions on travel, oil and shipping it will stop Iran’s nuclear program. Their sanctions also increase the pressure on the Central Bank of Iran, which has also been struggling since the currency crisis of last several weeks. 

Another aspect of the meeting of the European Union the want “room for negotiation.” This will be between the P5+1 and Iran. “The P5+1 have asked Iran to stop enriching uranium to 20 per cent.” (Al Jazeera) Since the demands have not been meant yet, more sanctions will be placed against Iran to encourage them to talk. "In the last couple of months Iran has not budged on any of the key issues and we must therefore increase the pressure through sanctions," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in Berlin. (The Jerusalem Post) 

Iran's Border with Afghanistan and Pakistan

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke up against sanctions. He used words to describe the West like “illogical” and “barbaric.” Khamenei was ralling his supporters. "They may create problems. Mismanagement may even increase these problems..." said Khamenei. (Huffington Post) He went on to say that the West is struggling themselves with recession and Iran can handle their problems by themselves. He wants to tell his people that he is listening and understands their problems. 

In a New York Time article, discussing Iran’s drug problem. Afghan and Pakistani drug gangs are smuggling drugs across the boarder. Iran has been trying to stop this drug problem that has caused many deaths of Iranian border officers. Iran would not let other countries come in to the country to access their drug problem, but now with the nuclear program being looking into, it may open the door for other problems in the country to be looked at.