APPROACHES TO EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 129873

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018
TAGS: EFIN IR IS KNNP PREL XE
SUBJECT: APPROACHES TO EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ON IRAN
FINANCIAL PRESSURES

REF: A. TEL AVIV 2664

B. STATE 125441

C. STATE 125658

Classified By: NEA AS David Welch, reasons 1.4 b and d


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6.


2. (C) OBJECTIVES: To thank Israel for its interest in
coordinated demarches to East Asian countries on increasing
financial pressures on Iran, to provide an update on our
current coordinated demarches with the UK, France, Germany
and Italy (the EU4) and to inform Israel that the U.S.
believes that the EU-4 1 process is the most effective means
for demarching East Asian countries on Iran financial
pressures at this time.


3. (C) BACKGROUND: We appreciate Israel,s interest in more
closely coordinating approaches to East Asian capitals
regarding the importance of increasing financial pressures on
Iran. Israel has long been a strong advocate of such
pressures, and has regularly shared with the USG (and others)
its own intelligence and policy proposals for increasing
financial pressure on Iran. NEA, ISN and EEB meet regularly
with members of the Israeli embassy in Washington to share
information and to discuss possible courses of action to
maintain pressure on Iran.


4. (C) BACKGROUND, CONTINUED: In related efforts, the
United States is currently engaged with France, Germany, the
United Kingdom and Italy (the EU-4) in an effort to prompt
the implementation of the strongest possible national
sanctions measures on Iran in response to its noncompliance
with its international obligations. These measures focus on
four key areas: Iran's access to the international financial
system, insurance/re-insurance services, oil/gas deals and
investment (both financial and technological),and
sensitive/dual-use items. We are in the process of
conducting joint demarches with the EU-4 on these areas to a
list of countries including Malaysia and South Korea (Reftel
B). This group will likely go on to demarche other East
Asian countries as well. We have briefed the Israeli embassy
in Washington on this effort.


5. (C) BACKGROUND, CONTINUED: While we appreciate Israel,s
suggestion of joint demarches, we believe that the EU-4 1
group is the most effective arrangement for jointly
demarching other countries at this point. Setting up a
parallel framework for joint demarches could detract from the
message of the likeminded group. We expect to continue to
coordinate and share information with Israel, including
sharing the results of our demarches and providing thorough
updates on the activities of the likeminded group.


6. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Using the background in paragraphs
3-5 post is requested to respond to Israel,s offer with
appreciation and with a promise of continued
information-sharing and close coordination of efforts on
Iranian financial pressures. However, post should refrain
from agreeing to joint demarches with Israel at this time.
Reiterate to Israel our dedication to preventing Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapons capability, the seriousness of
our efforts to increase pressure on Iran to trigger a
strategic recalculation on it nuclear program, and our
underlying commitment to Israel,s security.


7. (U) Points of contact for this cable are Sonata Coulter
(EEB/ESC, 202-647-5027, CoulterSN@state.sgov.gov),Anthony
Ruggiero, (ISN/CPI, 202-647-5181, RuggieroAJ@state.sgov.gov),
and Sarah Groen (NEA/IR, 202-647-2498,
GroenSL@state.sgov.gov).
RICE