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U.S. Looking to Iranian Elections for Signs of Sanctions Course
By Brian Orsak
printThe result of presidential elections this month in Iran could have a "huge" impact on whether the United States pushes to impose new economic sanctions against Iran, say analysts. The elections, scheduled for June 12, pit incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against a conservative rival and two reformist candidates thought to be open to negotiating with the United States over the country's nuclear program. The United States has accused Iran of using its efforts to develop nuclear energy to obscure a weapons program, an allegation Iranian officials have repeatedly denied. "The elections could be really huge" in shaping U.S.-Iran negotiations over the...
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