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Concerns about "loopholes"
"The bill doesn't impose an economic blockade of the regime, and now is a perfect time for that," Carleton said. "(The sanctions are) not enough. They won't force the regime's hand, because they still leave loopholes the regime can exploit."
In late July, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies executive director Mark Dubowitz co-authored a Wall Street Journal Editorial pushing for U.S. sanctions on all known Iranian financial institutions, and full disclosure from foreign financial institutions of all their dealings with the country.
"...illicit finances are like water: they seep through the cracks," Dubowitz and co-author Jonathan Schanzer, FDD's vice president for research, wrote.
Last week, Dubowitz told Human Events the sanctions package would close some loopholes, though it was unclear how effective the legislation would be at slowing or curtailing Iranian nuclear activities.
While State Department special adviser Robert Einhorn has told reporters Iran is losing $9 billion in oil revenue every quarter with the sanctions already on the books, Dubowitz said there is no evidence that the measures have slowed Iran's proliferation activities.
As Obama and Romney endeavor to out-posture each other with regard to Iran, Dubowitz said that sanctions were indeed as much about character and authority as about the words on the books.
"When is comes to presidential determination, it's tone, it's about personality, and it's about the projection of power," Dubowitz said. "It's about striking fear into the heart of one man: Iran's supreme leader. If he doesn't fear American presidents, then he will not make the concessions that are needed."
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