“We do not have a coherent policy,” McCain said today on “Fox News Sunday.” While Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush have repeatedly threatened sanctions, “We have not done anything that would in any way be viewed effective,” McCain said.
The former Republican presidential candidate from Arizona was asked about today’s New York Times report that Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a secret memo to the White House in January warning that the administration lacked an effective strategy to counter Iran, should diplomacy and sanctions fail.
“I didn’t need a secret memo from Mr. Gates to ascertain that,” McCain said. “We have to be willing to pull the trigger on significant sanctions. And then we have to make plans for whatever contingencies follow if those sanctions are not effective.”
Possible targets for sanctions include refined petroleum products, McCain said.