Iran’s confrontation threatens Obama’s candidacy

American President Barack Obama faces upcoming elections with a choice which could lead to harming economic recover or his image as leader.

The situation in Iran and it's confrontation with America has posed a political threat to Obama as sanctions against Iran's oil exports were signed into law by him on New Year's Eve.

Should American allies and other countries continue to buy Iranian oil through its central bank, Obama will have to decide, during his electoral campaign, whether to take action against them.

The White House disagreed with the firmer sanctions but concurred to amend the legislation to give Obama flexibility to delay further action should the oil market be threatened.

Any country may be exempt from sanctions based on Obama's decisions and national security considerations.

Any of these decisions could result in the president appearing weak on Iran and receive further criticism from other countries.

Republican candidates led by Mitt Romney claim they would use military action to prevent the construction of a bomb and criticised Obama for not enough to stop Iran.