Iranian sanctions

Australian sanctions hurt ordinary Iranians

Press TV

Since gaining a seat on the United Nations Security Council, Australia has continued to criticize the Iranian Government over its nuclear energy program.

That criticism was first iterated when Press TV asked Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard in 2012. Australia, along with other Western countries such as the United States and the European Union accuse Iran of enriching Uranium for nuclear weapons, allegations denied by the Islamic Republic, who say the program is for peaceful purposes only.

The response has been a sharp increase in economic sanctions. The latest batch of Australian sanctions includes targeting the Central Bank of Iran. Transactions with the Iranian bank are being banned unless authorized in advanced.

There is also a ban on importing Iran's Natural Gas. Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr, says the sanctions are designed to force Tehran to the negotiating table.

But contributing writer for GreenLeft Weekly, Linda Pearson, says it's the Iranian people who are suffering. The impact of the sanctions has received increased international attention, especially with the supply of advanced medicines being severely curtailed despite not being covered by sanctions.

The UN's Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has warned that the UN's Humanitarian Missions were been affected and Iran's citizens were suffering from high food and energy costs and unemployment.

Linda Pearson also says the Wikileaks Cables reveal Australia & the US working hand in hand over Iranian Sanctions.

Earlier in the week, the EU announced the resumption of the P5 +1 talks, this has been welcomed by the Iranian Government, but it's unlikely that the crippling sanctions will be lifted anytime soon.