US threatens Iran over nuclear power
Updated on 10 January 2006
If Iran continues on its current nuclear course, it will leave the international community no choice but to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible actions, the White House said.
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The United States was reacting after Iran removed UN
seals at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant and resumed nuclear fuel research on Tuesday.
"If the regime in Iran continues on the current course and fails to abide by its international obligations there is no other choice but to refer the matter to the Security Council," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
He also said that if Iran started nuclear enrichment and reprocessing it would be considered a "serious escalation."
Tehran denies wanting nuclear technology for anything but a civilian energy programme aimed at satisfying the Islamic Republic's booming demand for electricity.