Third, sanctions should not be discarded, but they should be interpreted as a means of pressure rather than as a mere prelude to war. As Javier Solana, the European Union’s chief diplomat, who has conducted lengthy negotiations with Iran, rightly points out, even if the United Nations Security Council approves sanctions against Iran, the door to negotiations will always be open.
第三，制裁手段也不能轻易放弃，但这里的制裁应该被理解成一种施压的手段，而不只是战争的前奏。正如曾经长期主持与伊朗谈判的欧盟首席外交官 哈维尔·索拉纳（ Javier Solana）所指出的那样，即便联合国安理会批准对伊朗实施制裁，通往谈判的大门也永远是敞开的。当然，西方大国自己实行的制裁也必须遵守同样的原则。