Robert Gates actually said...
It's clear in the aftermath of the election that there are some fairly deep fissures in Iranian society and politics and--and probably even in the leadership . . . [T]his is one of the reasons why I think additional and especially severe economic sanctions could have some real impact . . . [W]e know that the sanctions that have already been placed on the country have had an impact.
Context
Gates discusses the internal divisions in Iran post-elections and the potential impact of sanctions.
10/05/2009