The New York Times reports that the White House thinks it has persuaded Prime Minister Netanyahu to give sanctions more time to convince Iran to stop developing nuclear weapons.

President Obama tried to defuse arguments for military action in a telephone call last month with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, the substance of which was confirmed by an Obama administration official who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to describe the conversation. While the two men have had an often contentious relationship over Middle East diplomacy, American officials emerged from that exchange persuaded that Mr. Netanyahu was willing to give economic sanctions and other steps time to work.

Yes, the sanctions are having an effect alright. But their effect is on the Iranian economy, and not on the nuclear program, which continues to proceed full steam ahead. Iran is not a democracy, and Khameni has no fears of being voted out of office because its economy has gone down the toilet. Look at North Korea. How much did sanctions help there? More