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US prepares sanctions as Iran defies UN

By David Blair, Diplomatic Correspondent

Last Updated: 8:48pm GMT 22/02/2007

 

 

 

America was preparing new sanctions on Iran today after the United

Nations confirmed that Teheran has defied two Security Council

Resolutions and failed to stop enriching uranium.

 

 

Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the IAEA, wrote the report: 'Iran has not

suspended its enrichment-related activities'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had

" not suspended its enrichment-related activities " by the UN-imposed

deadline of Tuesday.

 

This highly sensitive process can produce the material essential to

making a nuclear bomb. Iran has offered to open unconditional talks

with the West - but America insists that uranium enrichment must stop,

in accordance with UN Resolutions 1696 and 1737, before any

negotiations can take place.

 

" We are disappointed that Iran has not complied with resolution 1737, "

said Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman. America will now raise

the issue in the Security Council and press for new sanctions on

Iran.

 

After meeting the Russian and German foreign ministers, Condoleezza

Rice, the US secretary of state, said that further steps were needed.

 

A State Department spokesman said that America would consider the

" next steps in the Council on how to proceed " .

 

He added: " The resolution said that in the light of this report the

Council would consider other measures if Iran was found not to be in

compliance, and unfortunately that is the path I think we find

ourselves on.

 

" It's a missed opportunity for the Iranian government and a missed

opportunity for the Iranian people. "

 

Iran says that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. It blames

America for the confrontation and has repeatedly offered unconditional

talks with the West.

 

 

I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to

tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of war, corporations have been

enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money

power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the

prejudices of the people until all the wealth is aggregated in a few hands and

the republic is destroyed. I feel, at this moment, more anxiety for the safety

of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war. God grant that my

suspicions may prove groundless. " Lincoln in a letter to Col. William F. Elkins

on November 21, 1864