U.S. Calls For UN Security Council Meeting On Iran

U.S. Calls For UN Security Council Meeting On Iran

March 8, 2006 -- The United States has called on the United Nations Security Council to meet as soon as possible to discuss Iran's nuclear ambitions, saying Tehran is deliberating misleading the international community.

U.S. Ambassador Gregory Schulte was speaking to the board of governors of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA. The panel is meeting in Vienna today to study a key report to be sent to the Security Council.

The report, drawn up by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammad el-Baradei, says Iran has resumed uranium-enrichment activities in defiance of the international community. But it stopped short of accusing Iran of pursuing a secret drive to build an atomic weapon.

In a statement, Washington said Tehran risks unspecified "consequences" if it does not halt nuclear-research activities. The European Union, likewise, said Iran must halt all nuclear research or face UN Security Council pressure to do so.

Speaking to journalists in Vienna, the Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Javad Vaidi, warned against Iran's referral to the Security Council for punitive sanctions.

"At this stage we are trying to avoid confrontation," he said. "The United States may have the power to cause harm and pain, but it is also susceptible to harm and pain. So, if the United States wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll."

Vaidi added that Iran could review its oil export policies in the future.

(dpa, Reuters, AFP)

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U.S. Calls For UN Security Council Meeting On Iran