 TEHRAN: The United States said on Friday it was consulting European governments about possible sanctions against Iran for intransigence over its nuclear programme, but | “...the EU signalled it wanted to see more dialogue with Tehran...” |
the EU signalled it wanted to see more dialogue with Tehran. Iran faces the threat of UN Security Council sanctions after the UN’s atomic watchdog said Tehran had refused to stop work on its nuclear programme by a Thursday deadline. Washington accuses Iran of seeking atomic bombs, a charge Tehran denies. Tehran, which says its nuclear programme is solely for power generation, remained defiant but reiterated it was open to talks over the issue. | “If the Western countries try to prohibit our nation’s advance in peaceful nuclear technology by making frowning faces, they shall face this nation’s anger...” |
“If the Western countries try to prohibit our nation’s advance in peaceful nuclear technology by making frowning faces, they shall face this nation’s anger,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by state TV as saying in a speech.
The United States is the driving force behind possible sanctions but Russia cast doubt on whether the Security Council could reach a quick consensus and said threatening Iran would lead to a “dead end”. The five countries with permanent seats on the UN Security Council - China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany will meet in Berlin on Sept 7 to discuss the way forward, the French Foreign Ministry said. |