EU, US Threaten New Iran Sanctions
VOA News 03 March 2010
The European Union and the United States say they will pursue new U.N. sanctions against Iran for defying U.N. efforts to ensure that its nuclear program is peaceful.
EU and U.S. diplomats issued the warning to Iran Wednesday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's board in Vienna.
Spain's delegation to the IAEA represented the EU at the meeting and delivered an unusually strong statement criticizing Iran's behavior.
The EU statement accused Iran of "persistent failure" to meet international obligations and expressed support for U.N. Security Council "action" if Tehran continues that behavior. Iran denies Western accusations that it is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Brazil Wednesday to try to persuade President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva to support new U.N. sanctions against Iran. Ahead of their talks, the Brazilian leader warned against "pushing" Iran into a corner and said negotiations are a better strategy.
Brazil is a voting member of the 15-nation U.N. Security Council, but does not have the veto powers of the Council's five permanent members - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.
Iran has said it is enriching uranium to produce fuel for a research reactor.
The EU statement said Iran's motive for enrichment is "questionable" because Tehran does not appear to have technology needed to produce fuel for that reactor.
U.S. envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies said Iran has been playing a "cat and mouse" game with the U.N. body. He said Tehran has left the international community with no choice but to pursue "further, deeper sanctions."
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
