THE US said yesterday it would press for the United Nations to agree new sanctions against Iran within “weeks”, arguing that its latest moves to advance its nuclear programme had alienated key Security Council members.
As Russia expressed concern over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, said Washington would seek agreement on a new UN resolution within “weeks, not months”.
China still opposes placing any more pressure on Iran’s economy. There were also concerns in western capitals that three of the non-permanent members of the Security Council – Brazil, Turkey and Nigeria – might also be reluctant to back a sanctions resolution.
However, western diplomats believe that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s pledge to enrich uranium to 20 per cent purity, which would take Iran’s uranium stockpile closer to the level needed to build a nuclear weapon, has backfired and begun to change the mood in the Security Council.
A senior US official said that Mr Ahmadinejad’s decision was a “hollow” and “provocative” gesture that would make sanctions more likely. “I think there is sufficient support in the council for sanctions,” said the official. “The Iranians see the Russians clearly moving towards joining us in a sanctions resolution.”
The official said there might be efforts to delay the passage of a resolution and to dilute the measures it contains. “But I think before long it will be possible to achieve it,” he said. “That means the Chinese will vote Yes or abstain, and I think they are likely to vote Yes.”
Turkey, Brazil and Nigera have all signalled their doubts. Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who received Mr Ahmadinejad last November, is said to be particularly opposed.
However, the US and its allies hope that, at worst, some non-aligned members of the Security Council might simply abstain.
Iran formally began the process yesterday of producing nuclear fuel at higher grade, in the presence of UN inspectors at its Natanz plant. However, western countries doubt whether Iran is technically capable of carrying out its stated purpose, to produce isotopes for medical use.
“I think Iran all along intended to enrich to 20 per cent,” said Mark Fitzpatrick, proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, “ostensibly to supply the research reactor but also to gain experience enriching to higher levels that would prove useful for weapons production”.
Mr Ahmadinejad suggested last week that he could accept a US-backed deal under which Iran would export its stock of low-enriched uranium in return for the medical isotopes that it needs. But the US saw his gesture as an attempt to hold off sanctions rather than a serious offer. “They want to give the Chinese an argument why we should put off pressure and continue to explore diplomacy,” said the US official.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, demanded immediate and “crippling” sanctions against the Tehran regime. – (Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2010)