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Britain to sound out allies over Iran's nuclear defiance |
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Thursday, 24 May 2007 |
LONDON (AFP) - Britain said Wednesday it would consult its allies on what to do next over Iran's continued failure to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.
A critical report by the United Nations' atomic watchdog, headed by Mohamed ElBaradei, said Iran was persisting in defying UN demands to stop its sensitive nuclear fuel work and was expanding its programme.
"Doctor ElBaradei has confirmed that Iran has yet again failed to suspend its enrichment related and reprocessing activities, a mandatory requirement under UN Security Council Resolution 1747," a Foreign Office spokesman said.
"We will study his report further and consult with allies on next steps. We believe that full suspension of Iran's enrichment activities is the only acceptable confidence building measure to allow formal talks to begin."
The International Atomic Energy Agency report could open the door to new sanctions against Tehran.
"Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities," the IAEA said of Iran's compliance with a UN call in March to stop enrichment work, which makes fuel for civilian reactors but also atom bomb material. |
