A Path to War? Assassination of Iran Nuclear Scientist, New Sanctions Strain U.S.-Iran Relations

"Iran says a nuclear scientist involved in its uranium enrichment program was killed by assassins in Tehran on Wednesday, becoming the latest Iranian scientist to die in a series of similar incidents. Earlier this week, Iran announced it had sentenced a U.S.-born man to death for allegedly spying for the CIA. Meanwhile, the United States is leading a global campaign to shut down Iranian oil exports in order to pressure the country to end its alleged nuclear weapons program. Iran responded by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for one fifth of oil traded worldwide. “If we are increasing the sense of threat, we may be able to prevent [the Iranian’s] capabilities to a certain extent, but we’re also increasing their desire for the nuclear deterrent,” says Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council. “At some point, that desire will overcome the obstacles. In essence, you cannot threaten a country into feeling secure."...."