U.N. council must increase sanctions on Iran: U.S
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States said on Sunday that Iran has left the U.N. Security Council no choice but to increase sanctions on the Islamic Republic for ignoring demands that it halt sensitive nuclear activities.
The U.S. declaration came a day after an informal deadline lapsed for Iran to respond to an offer from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia for talks on its disputed nuclear program.
"It is clear that the government of Iran has not complied with the international community's demand to stop enriching uranium and isn't even interested in trying," said Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
"They leave the Security Council no choice but to increase the sanctions, as called for in the last resolution passed."
Tehran has not formally responded to the offer. But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that Iran would not back down in its nuclear dispute with the powers, which have supported three rounds of U.N. Security Council sanctions.
"In whichever negotiation we take part ... it is unequivocally with the view to the realization of Iran's nuclear right and the Iranian nation would not retreat one iota from its rights," Ahmadinejad said in a statement.
The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian power program. Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, says its uranium enrichment drive is aimed solely at generating electricity.
A spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said in Brussels that he and Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, would discuss the six powers' offer soon.
"We expect a contact between Mr. Solana and Mr. Jalili soon by phone," the spokeswoman said. She gave no further details.
Western officials gave Tehran two weeks from July 19 to respond to their offer not to impose more U.N. sanctions on Iran if it froze any expansion of its nuclear work.
That suggested a deadline of August 2 but Iran, which has repeatedly ruled out curbing any of its nuclear activities, dismissed the idea of having two weeks to reply.
The five permanent Security Council members and Germany have appointed Solana to be their liaison with Iran.
MILITARY ACTION?
Israel and the United States have hinted that they could attack Iran's nuclear facilities if it remains defiant.
But the founder and head of the global intelligence company Stratfor, George Friedman, told weekly magazine Barron's that the chance of a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran is slim because the risks to the world economy far outweigh possible benefits. Continued...
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