“cut off the hands” of any who dared to challenge the Islamic regime.

What he never mentioned was what everyone else wanted to hear about - Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, an initiative the West is convinced is an ill-disguised drive to acquire nuclear weapons. Many fear Iran is driving the world toward its most dangerous nuclear standoff in decades.

Ahmadinejad has insisted that Iran wants nuclear power for peaceful purposes only, but few are trusting of a man who has long called for wiping Israel “off the map.”

For much of the day, the diplomatic noose around Ahmadinejad and his nuclear ambitions tightened.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/09/23/2009-09-23_a...

“cut off the hands” of any who dared to challenge the Islamic regime.

What he never mentioned was what everyone else wanted to hear about - Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, an initiative the West is convinced is an ill-disguised drive to acquire nuclear weapons. Many fear Iran is driving the world toward its most dangerous nuclear standoff in decades.

Ahmadinejad has insisted that Iran wants nuclear power for peaceful purposes only, but few are trusting of a man who has long called for wiping Israel “off the map.”

For much of the day, the diplomatic noose around Ahmadinejad and his nuclear ambitions tightened.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/09/23/2009-09-23_ahmadinejad_talks_us_and_pals_walk.html#ixzz0RzbwLQQn

President Obama, in his speech before the General Assembly, said the pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran and North Korea would not be tolerated. “We must insist that the future does not belong to fear,” he said.

As he spoke, Ahmadinejad sat quietly at Iran’s desk, never joining the rest of the world community in applause.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy later added his voice, warning that Iran was making a “tragic mistake” if it was counting on a weak international response to its nuclear scare tactics.

But the capper was Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who, after meeting with Obama, opened the door for the first time to tougher economic sanctions if nuclear talks scheduled for next week between Iran and six major powers bear no fruit.

“In some cases, sanctions are inevitable,” said the Russian president, whose nation has long maintained strong economic ties with Iran. “We believe we need to help Iran to take a right decision.”

The comments were cast by the White House as a crucial breakthrough.

“To me that’s a very big change in their position,” said National Security Council Russia Director Michael McFaul.

Medvedev’s pivot toward possibly accepting sanctions came a week after Obama...

But the capper was Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who, after meeting with Obama, opened the door for the first time to tougher economic sanctions if nuclear talks scheduled for next week between Iran and six major powers bear no fruit.

“In some cases, sanctions are inevitable,” said the Russian president, whose nation has long maintained strong economic ties with Iran. “We believe we need to help Iran to take a right decision.”

The comments were cast by the White House as a crucial breakthrough.

“To me that’s a very big change in their position,” said National Security Council Russia Director Michael McFaul.

Medvedev’s pivot toward possibly accepting sanctions came a week after Obama scaled back a Bush-era missile shield in Eastern Europe, a move the U.S. hoped would pave the way for the Russians to reciprocate on Iran.

dsaltonstall@nydailynews.com

BY Michael Saul and David Saltonstall
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Updated Wednesday, September 23rd 2009

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