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Brown evades question over Iran Brown evades question over Iran
(40 minutes later)
Chancellor Gordon Brown has refused to give assurances that he will rule out military action against Iran over its nuclear enrichment programme.Chancellor Gordon Brown has refused to give assurances that he will rule out military action against Iran over its nuclear enrichment programme.
Speaking at a trade union event in Bristol, he said he felt Iran's growing nuclear threat could be resolved by "multi-lateral action". Speaking at a trade union event in Bristol, he said he felt Iran's growing nuclear threat could be resolved by "multi-lateral pressure".
But when pushed on whether he would rule out military action, he refused to give that assurance.But when pushed on whether he would rule out military action, he refused to give that assurance.
Iran denies accusations from the West that it is seeking nuclear weapons.Iran denies accusations from the West that it is seeking nuclear weapons.
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution demanding that Iran suspends all enrichment activities.
And the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a report on Wednesday that Tehran was stepping up enrichment and obstructing inspections.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of he IAEA, said it might be too late to stop Iran entirely and the focus should be on preventing large-scale enrichment - a policy rejected by US and UK diplomats.
Political solution
Mr Brown, who replaces Tony Blair as prime minister on 27 June has not previously elaborated on his view that sanctions against Iran were working.Mr Brown, who replaces Tony Blair as prime minister on 27 June has not previously elaborated on his view that sanctions against Iran were working.
But at a hustings for deputy Labour leadership candidates on Saturday, Mr Brown said: "We want a peaceful settlement to the Iran issue."
Asked directly if he could rule out military action, Mr Brown said that multilateral action and economic sanctions were the best way forward.
It was "totally wrong" for countries to defy the international community and to start stockpiling nuclear weapons, he added.
"What we don't want is a situation where we move from North Korea to Iran to African countries, where we have no control. I think multilateral pressure is the right thing to do."
'Devastating consequences'
The government has been careful not to give unequivocal assurances since former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said military action was "inconceivable" in November 2004.
Suggestions that US anger over his stance contributed to his removal from the job in a reshuffle last year were strongly denied.
In February Mr Blair said that diplomacy, not military action, was the best way to resolve the stand-off over Iran's nuclear programme. He told the BBC he was not aware of any plans to attack Iran and said the only viable solution was a political one.In February Mr Blair said that diplomacy, not military action, was the best way to resolve the stand-off over Iran's nuclear programme. He told the BBC he was not aware of any plans to attack Iran and said the only viable solution was a political one.
But he said he could not "absolutely predict every set of circumstances".But he said he could not "absolutely predict every set of circumstances".
Conservative leader David Cameron warned earlier this week that although military action could have devastating consequences, it should not be ruled out.
Sailors seized
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution demanding that Iran suspends all enrichment activities.
And the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a report on Wednesday that Tehran was stepping up enrichment and obstructing inspections.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of he IAEA, said it might be too late to stop Iran entirely and the focus should be on preventing large-scale enrichment - a policy rejected by US and UK diplomats.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran will not be deterred from pursuing its nuclear goals and insists that it is co-operating with the IAEA.Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Iran will not be deterred from pursuing its nuclear goals and insists that it is co-operating with the IAEA.
Relations between the UK and Iran hit a low point when 15 Royal Navy personnel based on HMS Cornwall were seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards on 23 March in the northern Gulf.Relations between the UK and Iran hit a low point when 15 Royal Navy personnel based on HMS Cornwall were seized by Iranian Revolutionary Guards on 23 March in the northern Gulf.