The Obama administration is now stepping up its pressure on Iran in the wake of the country’s alleged plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States. Officials say the foiled plan may have violated a United Nations treaty protecting diplomats, and could escalate the case to an international court. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney pledges that the U.S. will increase its efforts to isolate Iran. He said, "in this arena we take no options off the table. But in dealing with Iran we are clearly focused on working through economic measures, sanctions, as well as diplomatic measures to isolate Iran."
Speaking in Washington yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged other nations to join the U.S. in condemning Iran’s threat to international security. Clinton also made a point of noting that Iran had agreed to the U.N. treaty. She said the plot was "a flagrant violation of international and U.S. law and a dangerous escalation of the Iranian government's longstanding use of political violence and sponsorship of terrorism. This kind of reckless act undermines international norms and the international system. Iran must be held accountable for its actions. "
Clinton’s comments come as a number of experts are expressing doubt that Iran was actually behind the assassination plot. With Manssor Arbabsiar in custody, many question why Iran would delegate such a sensitive job to an Iranian-American who is a former used car dealer, and use a hit team from a Mexican drug cartel.