American-backed sanctions regime against the Iranian republic seems to be under threat after a string of important gas deals with European and other Countries. Tehran has concluded gas deals with Chinese and Malaysian companies which have reinvigorated its energy sector. Tehran has also alarmed Washington by reaching an agreement on natural gas with a Swiss group worth $42 billion. US fear that this would encourage other deals despite American calls for more stringent sanctions against Iran1.

• 1. “US feels the heat after Iran-Switzerland $42b gas deal,” Tehran Times, May 3, 2008, at http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=167664