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US urges 'punitive' steps on Iran US urges 'punitive' steps on Iran
(about 3 hours later)
The US and its allies will have to push for "punitive" measures on Iran after it failed to respond positively to an incentives offer, the White House says.The US and its allies will have to push for "punitive" measures on Iran after it failed to respond positively to an incentives offer, the White House says.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are due to hold telephone talks about Iran's nuclear programme. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are due to hold talks on Iran's nuclear programme.
France - among the six nations involved - said it regretted that Iran had "once again chosen not to answer clearly".
Iran sent a letter on Tuesday saying it was ready to give a "clear response" to the offer if it got the same in return.Iran sent a letter on Tuesday saying it was ready to give a "clear response" to the offer if it got the same in return.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the Iranians had been stalling.White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the Iranians had been stalling.
On Tuesday, the US state department said Tehran's letter, delivered to the EU's foreign policy chief, did not give a clear message and that "additional measures" would be unavoidable. The telephone conference between the six nations - China, France, Russia, the UK and US, along with Germany - was due to take place on Wednesday.
The telephone conference between the six nations - China, France, Russia, the UK and US, along with Germany - was due to take place at 1115 GMT on Wednesday.
The move follows "inconclusive" talks between the EU and Tehran over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme.The move follows "inconclusive" talks between the EU and Tehran over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme.
The Iranian government insists its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes, while the US and its allies believe it could be used to develop nuclear weapons.The Iranian government insists its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes, while the US and its allies believe it could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
Freeze demandedFreeze demanded
The group of six world powers tabled the latest proposal to Iran in June in an effort to persuade it to suspend uranium enrichment as an initial step in starting talks on a longer-term deal.The group of six world powers tabled the latest proposal to Iran in June in an effort to persuade it to suspend uranium enrichment as an initial step in starting talks on a longer-term deal.
'FREEZE-FOR-FREEZE' OFFER Iran suspends its nuclear activities including the installation of any new centrifugesAt same time the six world powers refrain from any new Security Council resolution on sanctionsTalks can then start on long-term deal on recognising Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes, and lifting of sanctions Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issueNuclear power in Middle East 'FREEZE-FOR-FREEZE' OFFER Iran suspends its nuclear activities including the installation of any new centrifugesAt same time the six world powers refrain from any new Security Council resolution on sanctionsTalks can then start on long-term deal on recognising Iran's right to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes, and lifting of sanctions Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issueNuclear power in Middle East
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana had given Iran's chief nuclear negotiator until last Saturday to respond to an offer of no further economic sanctions in return for an Iranian freeze on uranium enrichment.EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana had given Iran's chief nuclear negotiator until last Saturday to respond to an offer of no further economic sanctions in return for an Iranian freeze on uranium enrichment.
Speaking to reporters from a plane carrying US President George W Bush on an Asian tour, Ms Perino said the Iranians had failed to provide "a decent and responsive statement" to the offer. Speaking to reporters from a plane carrying US President George W Bush on an Asian tour, Ms Perino said the Iranians' letter had failed to provide "a decent and responsive statement" to the offer.
"In the absence of a positive response... we think that the allies will have no choice but to take further measures that would be punitive," she said."In the absence of a positive response... we think that the allies will have no choice but to take further measures that would be punitive," she said.
US media reports have said the US intends to push for new sanctions against Iran at the UN Security Council.US media reports have said the US intends to push for new sanctions against Iran at the UN Security Council.
The French foreign ministry said it regretted that Iran had chosen to respond with a "purely procedural document", despite the best efforts of the group of six to set up a framework for negotiation.
"The question posed is clear and calls for a simple answer: does Iran accept the freeze-for-freeze offer to launch negotiations?" said spokesman Romain Nadal in Paris.
"It does not require further clarification."
Meanwhile, the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said its deputy director general, Olli Heinonen, would visit Tehran for talks on Thursday.Meanwhile, the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said its deputy director general, Olli Heinonen, would visit Tehran for talks on Thursday.
'Mutual clarification''Mutual clarification'
In its letter to the six nations, obtained by the AFP news agency, Iran said it had considered the proposals "with good will". In its letter to the six nations, obtained by the AFP news agency, Iran said it had considered the proposals "with goodwill".
Iran was ready to provide a "clear response", the letter said, but would require a similarly 'clear response' to its own questions and ambiguities. Iran was ready to provide a "clear response", the letter said, but would require a similarly "clear response" to its own questions and ambiguities.
"Undoubtedly such mutual clarification can pave the way for a speedy and transparent negotiating process with a bright prospect and provide grounds for co-operation."Undoubtedly such mutual clarification can pave the way for a speedy and transparent negotiating process with a bright prospect and provide grounds for co-operation.
"The second phase in negotiations can commence as early as possible if there is such willingness on your side.""The second phase in negotiations can commence as early as possible if there is such willingness on your side."
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the Iranians have clearly made a judgement that despite all the talk of potential air strikes against its nuclear facilities, the US presidential campaign, Israel's political uncertainty and high oil prices mean that a crisis is not imminent.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the Iranians have clearly made a judgement that despite all the talk of potential air strikes against its nuclear facilities, the US presidential campaign, Israel's political uncertainty and high oil prices mean that a crisis is not imminent.