Tough decisions ahead for President Obama

President Obama's road to re-election will be a bumpy one.

In a report by the New York Times, the mounting conflict between America and Iran leaves Obama with options that could potentially harm the economic recovery or his image as a decisive leader.

Sanctions signed by the president against Iran's oil exports means that Obama will have to take action against strong ally countries if they continue to purchase Iranian oil.

Congress agreed to give Obama some time to delay actions if he concludes that a crackdown would disrupt the oil market. Congress also gave Obama the power to exempt any country that goes against the sanctions based on national security considerations.

However, taking adavntage of this leeway would give critics of President Obama the ammunition they need to claim that he is weak on Iran. Iran is thought by the West to be capable of creating nuclear weapons.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney stated in November that if Obama is re-elected, Iran will have a nuclear weapon.

President Obama is expected to make his decision in late June.