On the regional level, Arab officials said they would push the big powers to pursue sanctions against Iran in the Security Council.

These seven sanctions, Ray reasoned, were "sufficient", and therefore he did not pursue further sanctions in a criminal proceeding.

So why does the International Community, particularly the West, continue to pursue sanctions in the face of Iranian threats of conflict?

Until recently, the department has waited for an officer's criminal case to conclude before pursuing administrative sanctions.

The department has defended the reinvestigations, saying the board's evidence by itself was often too weak to pursue administrative sanctions.

For now, as we pursue sanctions, we should take two other steps.

The Administration says it is still pursuing economic sanctions in the hope of forcing the military leaders to step down.

The situation came about as a result of the EU pursuing sanctions against Cuba for a crackdown on dissidents in 2003.

We are not pursuing sanctions but cooperation in this area.

The Swiss said that the settlement was contingent on public officials agreeing not to pursue proposed sanctions by political subdivisions.