Defense and Non-Proliferation

Biden Warns Iran on Diplomacy over Nuclear Program

Vice President Biden waves to reporters upon his arrival at the Tegel airport in Berlin on February 1. Biden met with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin and will attend the annual Munich Security Conference. photo: ©AP Images

U.S. Vice President Biden has warned Iran that time is running out for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict over its nuclear program. Biden's comments were published Friday in a German newspaper as he began a visit to Germany to attend a security conference in Munich. The U.S. vice president said there is time and space for diplomacy and economic pressure on Iran, but he said that opportunity will not be available forever. He said Iran can expect continued sanctions and increasing international pressure. Iran insists it is pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful means, while the U.S. and its Western allies believe Tehran aims to develop weapons. This is Biden's first trip overseas since the Obama administration's second term started January 20. Read the full article | Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden to the Munich Security Conference. Hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich, Germany (2013-02-02)

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U.S.-EU Highlights

U.S. Exempts 10 EU Countries from Sanctions Over Iran Oil Imports

Secretary of State Clinton announced March 20 that the 10 EU countries currently importing Iranian oil had “significantly reduced their volume of crude oil purchases from Iran. As a result, I will report to the Congress that sanctions…will not apply to the financial institutions based in these countries.” Under U.S. law, sanctions can be applied to financial institutions of countries that import Iranian petroleum products. Twenty-three countries, 10 of which are EU countries, still import these products. Secretary Clinton commended the EU and Japan for their actions and urged other nations that import oil from Iran to follow their example. “Diplomacy coupled with strong pressure can achieve the long-term solutions we seek and we will continue to work with our international partners to increase the pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations,” Secretary Clinton said in her statement. In a separate briefing, a State Department official said the EU’s January 23 decision to ban all new contracts for the import purchase or transport of Iranian crude oil and petrochemicals was a model for other nations.