By Daisy Ayliffe - 30th March 2006
Iran faces isolation if it does not comply with the UN security council’s 30 day deadline to halt its nuclear programme, the EU warned on Thursday.
At a ministerial meeting in Berlin on Thursday Britain, France, Germany, the US, China, and Russia discussed what action they would take next should Iran refuse to comply with the New York body’s ruling.
The six urged Iran to freeze uranium enrichment - but divisions over where the international community goes from here loomed large.
Both Russia and China are reluctant to agree to punitive measures against Tehran.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Russia doesn't believe that sanctions can achieve a settlement of various issues."
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has called on UN veto wielding powers to “lower the pitch” as the international stand off threatens to reach boiling point.
"Sanctions are a bad idea. We are not facing an imminent threat,” he said.
"My message to Iran?: the international community is getting impatient and you need to respond by arming me with information."
But Tehran continues to stand firm – brushing aside the UN cut-off date and saying it has no intention of cooperating with the latest diplomatic efforts.
“The enrichment matter is not reversible," Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Tehran's chief representative to the IAEA reiterated on Thursday.
In Berlin, officials said no consensus had been reached on what measures to take should Iran ignore the latest deadline.
Conscious of Russian and Chinese unease over sanctions, the US and EU-3 are considering less harsh penalties.
These could include restricting access to nuclear technology and limiting trade. Other options include banning Iranian leaders from travelling abroad.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.