Amano's no-nonsense approach has in turn strengthened the recent US push for tighter sanctions on Iranian banking, insurance and shipping, coupled with asset freezes and travel bans for anyone connected to its nuclear ambitions. Petrol sanctions are not included so as not to inflict misery on ordinary Iranians, many of whom evidently support the oppositional "green" revolution. There are distinct signs that Russia (the only player that can nullify a sanctions regime at low cost to itself) is shifting towards the American, British, French and German position, declaring it is "very concerned" about Amano's revelations. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has also been a frequent flyer to Moscow (along with less advertised visitors from Mossad). A plan to build a memorial to the Red Army in Israel is indicative of the lengths to which the Israeli Premier is going to curry favour with Vladimir Putin, although the real price Jerusalem will pay is probably much higher than symbolic gestures. Although the Chinese, who derive around 11 per cent of their oil from Iran, are reluctant to impose enhanced sanctions — President Obama's moral grandstanding over Tibet and Xinxiang being regarded as unhelpful — a recent deal struck by Hillary Clinton with the Saudis to increase their oil exports to China may signal that their position may change too.