Lantos plans more US economic pressure on Iran

A senior House of Representatives Democrat is ready to introduce legislation to squeeze Iran by punishing foreign oil companies that invest in its energy industry, the heart of Iran's economy. Talk of US military intervention to stop Iran from its "headlong pursuit of nuclear weapons" is unwise, however, and does not have the support of Congress and the American people, Rep. Tom Lantos said Tuesday. Diplomacy, which Lantos favors, "does not stand a chance unless it is backed by strong international sanctions," the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman said.