New York, NY, November 18, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed deep disappointment with today's International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governor's statement on Iran, which failed to call for additional international pressure on Iran to comply with its obligations to the IAEA.

Since the publication of the IAEA Safeguards Report on November 8, Russia and China have reiterated their opposition to additional sanctions by the U.N. Security Council or by others.

ADL continues to call on the U.S. government to lead a coalition of like-minded countries to impose coordinated national sanctions on Iran.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

The IAEA Safeguards Report confirmed the urgency of acting against Iran's nuclear weapons, yet shockingly the board of governor's statement does not reflect it.  The statement is a politicized downgrading of the threat, driven by the self-interest of certain members of the board, and is the latest example of the international community's failure to effectively address the Iranian nuclear weapons program.  Since the U.N. system is clearly incapable of acting responsibly, it is up to the U.S. government to lead a coalition of like-minded countries to impose coordinated national sanctions severe enough to change the Iranian regime's determination to pursue nuclear weapons.  If Russia, China, and others don't agree and continue to insist on putting their own interests ahead of global security, let them sit on the sidelines and not interfere.

Sanctions which target Iran's ability to sell its oil should compel the Iranian regime to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons.   If companies that buy, ship, insure, finance, or refine Iranian oil are cut off from the U.S. financial system, commerce and our ports, Iran will sell significantly reduced volumes at deeply discounted prices.  Saudi spare production capacity and strategic petroleum reserves can replace Iranian exports.  The US imposed such sanctions on those who sell gasoline to Iran and should do the same on those who deal in Iranian oil.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.