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Iran faces new sanctions threat World powers mull Iran sanctions
(about 4 hours later)
The US and its allies are to consider new sanctions against Iran after it failed to respond positively to an incentives offer, the US says. The major world powers have agreed to consider further sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to halt its nuclear programme, the US says.
It comes after the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany held talks on Iran's nuclear programme. The decision came during talks between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.
The six nations told Iran in June there would be no further economic sanctions if it stopped enriching uranium. The six nations had wanted a clear answer from Iran to an offer of incentives, but only received a non-committal letter.
However, the US state department said a letter sent by Iran earlier this week failed to give a response to the offer. But Russia's UN ambassador said there was potential in ongoing dialogue.
The White House described it as a "stalling tactic". "We are beginning to consider the possible outline for another sanction resolution," said US State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos.
'Stalling tactic'
The decision came after a telephone conference between the six nations - China, France, Russia, the UK and US, along with Germany - which followed "inconclusive" talks over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme.
'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
The six nations had told Iran in June there would be no further economic sanctions if it suspended uranium enrichment as an initial step in starting talks on a longer-term deal.
But the US state department said a letter sent by Iran earlier this week failed to give a response to the offer.
In the letter, Iran said it was ready to give a "clear response" to the incentives offer if it got the same in return.In the letter, Iran said it was ready to give a "clear response" to the incentives offer if it got the same in return.
France - among the nations involved in discussions - said it regretted that Iran had "once again chosen not to answer clearly". "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," it said.
The UK expressed disappointment at Iran's response.
"Iran has a clear choice: engagement or isolation. We regret that Iran's leaders appear to have chosen isolation," said British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells.
"If Iran continues to refuse to come to the negotiating table, the international pressure on Iran will only grow."
The White House described the letter as a "stalling tactic", while France said it regretted that Iran had "once again chosen not to answer clearly".
Freeze demandedFreeze demanded
Wednesday's telephone conference between the six nations - China, France, Russia, the UK and US, along with Germany - followed "inconclusive" talks between the EU and Tehran over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. But Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that despite the ambiguous response, there was still hope for ongoing dialogue.
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. "We certainly do not believe that it is a foregone conclusion that the dialogue is not going to be successful," he said. "We think there is some potential to that dialogue."
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. 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 Dana PerinoWhite House spokeswoman
'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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/4031603.stm">Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7421262.stm">Nuclear power in Middle East Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for entirely peaceful purposes, while the US and its allies believe it could be used to develop nuclear weapons.
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, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the Iranians' letter 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, White House spokeswoman Dana 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.
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. Tehran's judgement
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. There is a terrible sense of deja vu about the Iranian nuclear story, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
'Mutual clarification' Iran insists that is nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
In its letter to the six nations, obtained by the AFP news agency, Iran said it had considered the proposals "with goodwill". This follows a familiar pattern: A proposal is made to the Iranians; their answer is deemed as insufficient; China and Russia drag their feet as the Security Council considers a further round of sanctions; new sanctions are eventually agreed, accompanied by dire warnings of future measures if Iran does not acquiesce.
Iran was ready to provide a "clear response", the letter said, but would require a similarly "clear response" to its own questions and ambiguities. Tehran has 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, our correspondent adds.
"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. Olli Heinonen, the deputy director of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is due to visit Tehran for talks on Thursday.
"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.