By Martin Banks - 8th February 2012
They appear to think that a nuclear capacity will prevent any kind of external pressure
Alejo Vidal-Quadras
A leading MEP says it is "vital" the international community keeps the pressure on Iran over its alleged nuclear enrichment programme.
The demand by Spanish centre right deputy Alejo Vidal-Quadras, comes after the EU decided to impose an oil import ban on Iran in retaliation for what Brussels believes is Iran's continuing efforts to develop a nuclear arsenal.
The sanctions were imposed on 23 January after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Speaking at a hearing in parliament on Wednesday, Vidal-Quadras said it was "apparent" that in developing a nuclear programme Iran was attempting to "resist any external pressure".
He said, "They appear to think that a nuclear capacity will prevent any kind of external pressure on the regime there."
He added, "We have to take into account the fact that this does not affect just Iran but the whole international community.
"That is why it is vital that the international community, including the EU, stands together against such a threat and such a regime.
"We have to maximise our efforts to stop this threat and, hopefully, bring about democratic change in Iran."
Opening the hearing, organised by the European Friends of Israel group, he welcomed the EU sanctions saying they were designed to "target the source" of Iran's nuclear programme.
He also pointed to a joint motion for a resolution on the issue which was adopted by MEPs in Strasbourg last week.
"Iran's violation of international agreements is very worrying and this has led to serious international concern. Currently, the Iranian regime seems unwilling to address these concerns properly.
"The EU has tried to respond to these threats with the imposition of sanctions but it has to be said that the nuclear programme is one of several concerns," said the MEP, who is one of parliament's vice-presidents.
Meanwhile, Iran's parliament has summoned the president for questioning for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a long list of questions about the state of the economy, as well as his foreign and domestic policy decisions.
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