Britain pressures Iran on nuclear obligations
The Government has warned Iran it may be taken to the United Nations Security Council over breaches to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday told Tehran swift action would ensue if it resumed its nuclear programme.
Tehran insists its research on uranium reprocessing is for the production of domestic energy supplies.
Critics say Iran is intent on acquiring atomic bombs.
Mr Blair told his monthly Downing Street press conference yesterday: “We certainly will support referral to the UN security council if Iran breaches its undertakings and obligations.
“Nobody is talking about invasions of Iran or military action against Iran,” he cautioned.
“We have to make sure that this diplomatic process works, and we will fight very hard to do that.”
European powerhouses – Britain, France and Germany – have led a diplomatic initiative to coax Iran to end its nuclear brinkmanship in exchange for expertise and economic aid.
Appearing to signal his patience was growing thin, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said European players would be seeking an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s watchdog monitoring, on Iran’s nuclear activities, if Tehran resumed its programme.
Mr Straw and his European counterparts sent a letter on Wednesday to Iran warning of “negative” consequences if it carried out its threats.
Hasan Rowhani, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, warned on Thursday Iran would definitely resume part of its nuclear activities “in the near future”.
