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Iran refuses to stop nuclear work
US seeks further pressure on Iran
3/10/2006
A senior US official has called for continued international pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear programme, reports BBC.
UN Ambassador John Bolton said there was a sense of urgency given Tehran's defiance of the world community.
His remarks came after the UN nuclear agency, the IAEA, decided to send a report on Iran's nuclear activity to the UN Security Council.
Iran said it had done all it could to reach a peaceful settlement but the US had "hijacked" the diplomatic process.
Iran's ambassador to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said: "We don't want confrontation but if this is the wish or policy of the Americans, then the Iranian nation will of course defend its integrity and national interests."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the agency should continue to lead efforts to resolve the dispute.
He expressed doubt that sanctions against Tehran would be effective.
Western nations have accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian energy use only.
The Security Council is expected to discuss the issue as early as next week.
The council has the power to impose sanctions, but it is not clear that all its key members would back them.
Diplomats suggest the Security Council could start the process by putting out a statement calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities and asking the IAEA to report on whether or not it complies.
The report being forwarded to the Security Council - which was leaked to the media last week - says the Iranians have begun feeding uranium gas into centrifuges, a first step in a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors or bomb material.
Meanwhile, Iran will continue its controversial nuclear research programme no matter what action the UN takes against it, an Iranian nuclear delegation has said.
It also composed a statement to the UN nuclear watchdog warning that the US could face unspecified "harm and pain" for its opposition to the programme.
Watchdog members are debating a report from its head on Iran's programme.
The US said Iran had enough nuclear material for 10 atomic bombs and it was time for the Security Council to act.
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