http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=446c1d361ba8246b&cat=c08dd24cec417021VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Iran threatened Sunday to embark on full-scale uranium enrichment if the U.N. nuclear watchdog presses for action over its nuclear program, and the American ambassador to the United Nations warned of the possibility of "painful consequences" for Iran.
The comments came as the International Atomic Energy Agency's board prepared to meet Monday to discuss referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council, but delegates said whatever step the council might take would stop far short of sanctions.
John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday there was an urgent need to confront Iran's "clear and unrelenting drive" for nuclear weapons.
Iran "must be made aware that if it continues down the path of international isolation, there will be tangible and painful consequences," Bolton told the conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
But Iran's government cautioned that putting the issue before the Security Council would hurt efforts to resolve the dispute diplomatically.
"If Iran's nuclear dossier is referred to the U.N. Security Council, (large-scale) uranium enrichment will be resumed," Iran's top negotiator, Ali Larijani, told reporters in Tehran. "If they want to use force, we will pursue our own path."
more...
Irans answer to Bolton.... "make my day"
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
