UPI: A security adviser in the George W. Bush administration told CBS News Thursday Iran’s boasting and belligerence over its nuclear ambitions was expected. NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (UPI) — A security adviser in the George W. Bush administration told CBS News Thursday Iran’s boasting and belligerence over its nuclear ambitions was expected.
Stephen Hadley told “CBS This Morning” economic sanctions, a world reaction to Iran’s perceived development of nuclear weapons, have hampered the country, but it does not want to be regarded in the international community as weak.
“It’s pretty clear that the sanctions are having a bite. It has pushed the Iranian currency down dramatically,” he told interviewer Charlie Rose.
While Iran has offered to return to negotiations, it has also announced progress in its nuclear program and has threatened to cut off oil customers in Europe, he pointed out. Hadley doubted if further talks could have any effect.
“It’s the kind of conciliation, and tough talk, that we’ve seen from Iran before,” he said.
