EU Refers Iran to Nuclear Watchdog

Times Online:

Britain, France and Germany tonight took the first step towards seeking international sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear fuel programme. Following crisis talks with his counterparts in Berlin, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, said that they had agreed to request an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board with a view to referring Tehran to the UN Security Council.

The move follows the announcement earlier this week that the Iranians were to resume work at the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, in breach of earlier assurances.

Although the Iranians insist that they only intend to carry out research at Natanz, the Europeans and the United States fear Tehran is using its civil power programme as a cover for developing a nuclear bomb.

Mr Straw said that efforts by the EU3 - France, Germany and Britain - to find a diplomatic resolution to the crisis had now reached a deadlock after two years of delicate negotiations.

"It is a matter of very great regret ... Iran has decided to turn its back and these negotiations have reached an impasse," he said.

"In that situation I think we have no alternative but for the decision which we have reached to call for an emergency meeting of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency with a view to the involvement then of the Security Council."

After issuing a joint statement that accused Iran of a "documented record of concealment and deception," the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told reporters "the time has come for the UN Security Council to become involved."

The Security Council is likely to request a new report from Mohamed ElBaradei, the IAEA Director-General, before taking further action. That will be produced within 30 days, after which the 15-nation council will demand action from Iran and consider sanctions.

With international diplomacy in high gear and China and Russia adding their criticism of Tehran, diplomats in Vienna said the IAEA could call a meeting of the board of governors within weeks.

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Western suspicions that Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons are strongly denied by Tehran, whose hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed that he would not be intimidated by the "fuss."

Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for nuclear power stations, but in its highly enriched form it makes the explosive core for atomic weapons.

Mr Ahmadinejadbrushed aside growing condemnation and said that it would pursue its course regardless. A diplomat in Vienna said Iran had now finished removing seals at three nuclear plants, including Natanz.

"Unfortunately, a group of bullies allows itself to deprive nations of their legal and natural rights," he said. "I tell those superpowers that, with strength and prudence, Iran will pave the way to achieving peaceful nuclear energy."

He reiterated Iran’s rejection of US allegations that it was seeking nuclear weapons. "Our nation does not need nuclear weapons, nor is interested in having them, and even considers them illegal," he said.