Straw Denies Iran Action Inevitable

Channel4 News:

Jack Straw has played down suggestions that military action against Iran is unavoidable, even if it persists with its nuclear aims. Pressed by a parliamentary committee about the possibility of Western powers taking military action against Iran over its atomic ambitions, the foreign Secretary repeated that such a step was not on the agenda and insisted he would pursue diplomacy.

He said: "I don't believe that even if Iran were in that position (of having the capability to make nuclear weapons) that there would be nothing the international community could do about it short of military action". READ MORE

He drew a comparison with reclusive North Korea, which the West suspects already has atomic weapons.

He said: "There is a process which I am reasonably confident will lead to a resolution by non-military means".

Amid international concern that Iran wants to make a nuclear bomb, the UN nuclear watchdog on Saturday voted to report Iran to the Security Council, a move which could eventually lead to sanctions.

Mr Straw declined to say what action the Security Council might take, but it will do nothing before an International Atomic Energy Agency report due next month.

Mr Straw added that although the West was very suspicious that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons, there was no proof.

Iran denies it wants to build arms and says it needs nuclear technology for power generation.