Rice Calls Iran a Major Obstacle

WASHINGTON — Iran is a major obstacle to the American vision of a Middle East in which nations will “trade more, invest more, talk more, and work more constructively to solve problems,” Secretary of State Rice says.“The Iranian government is pursuing policies which are detrimental to the long-term interests of its neighbors, of the region, and of the Iranian people themselves. It need not be this way,” Ms. Rice said in remarks prepared for delivery today to a House panel.Ms. Rice’s testimony, before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, comes amid increased frustration by Republicans and Democrats alike that the Bush administration is not doing enough to deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions.Last month, the House passed, by a 397-16 vote, legislation aimed at blocking foreign investment in Iran, in particular its lucrative energy sector. The bill, sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Lantos would specifically bar the president from waiving American sanctions.Ms. Rice said the administration shares Congress’s goal of making sanctions tougher on Iran, but urged caution.“We simply want to be certain that our collective efforts do not undermine our multilateral strategy, where we will have a maximum chance of success,” she said.President Bush says an American-linked missile defense system is urgently needed in Europe to protect against a potential Iranian strike. Plans for such a system have strained American relations with Russia, which estimates Iran’s capability to be less mature and has close financial ties with Tehran.Ms. Rice planned to tell the House committee today that in addition to nuclear ambitions that undermine stability in the region, Tehran has provided “lethal assistance” to extremist groups in Lebanon, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Arab territories, as well as Iraq.In particular, she noted, activities in Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds force “are inconsistent with the Iranian government’s obligations and stated commitment to support the Iraqi government.”

Rice Calls Iran a Major Obstacle

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