UNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (KUNA) -- The US and UK on Thursday said the international community should apply further pressure on the Iranian regime until it proves that its suspected nuclear programme does not have a military dimension, break ties with the Syrian regime, and stop terrorist activities, warning that their patience is running thin with Teheran.
Addressing the Security Council following the periodic briefing by the Chairman of the Council's Committee monitoring sanctions on Iran - Colombia -, US Ambassador Susan Rice said the international community "cannot afford to be complacent (with Iran's behaviour.) We must recognize that we are facing a situation that continues to worsen." Iran is under four rounds of sanctions because of its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that Iran's nuclear programme "continues to develop in a direction that offers no assurance of Iran's peaceful intentions." Rice said Iran knows the steps it must take to be in full compliance with its international obligations. It knows the actions required to demonstrate full cooperation with the IAEA. Yet, still, Iran's approach remains to "deny, deceive and distract." Despite the sanctions, she said, Iran continues to export weapons to the "murderous" Assad regime in Syria.
Quoting a report by the Committee's Panel of Experts which concluded that Syria is now the "central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers," Rice urged countries in the region to "work together and redouble their efforts" to deny, inspect and seize illicit Iranian shipments.
She said the US seeks to resolve Iran's nuclear issue through a "comprehensive approach. We remain committed to trying to find a negotiated solution with Iran that restores international confidence in its nuclear activities and bolsters regional stability." "We believe there is still time and space for diplomacy. However, the onus is on Iran to respond constructively. The international community should continue to underscore that Iran must take meaningful steps or face increasing pressure. Yet, we cannot and we will not pursue this path indefinitely. We will not engage in an endless process of negotiations that fail to produce any results," she warned.
British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said Iran "must negotiate seriously and take urgent, concrete steps to allay the fears of the international community. Until it does so, it should be in no doubt that the international community will continue to apply further pressure." "Iran's leaders - if they do the right thing - can bring all sanctions to an end, and in doing so help Iran realize the benefits of a civil nuclear programme. They have a clear choice: to address international concerns through negotiation and action, or face further economic hardship and isolation," he warned.
He added, however, that the UK remains fully "committed to finding a peaceful, negotiated solution to this issue." Grant also said his delegation remained deeply concerned about Iran's stated support to the Assad regime in Syria, and the evidence, uncovered by the Panel of Experts working with the Sanctions Committee on the supply of weaponry. "This is unacceptable and it must stop. It is in stark contrast to the will of the Syrian people and a reminder of Iran's hypocrisy in claiming to support freedom in the Arab world," he said. He added that he is also alarmed by Iran's "links to terrorism and its apparent increasing willingness to support terrorism around the world. We are committed to the toughest possible international response to Iran's support for terrorism and its refusal to operate within the bounds of international law." The Iranian regime, he advised, is at a crossroads. "It can continue to ignore the international community's concerns over its nuclear programme, or it can negotiate a settlement that will help to realize the benefits of a civil nuclear programme. It can support the oppressive regime in Syria in suppressing freedom, or it can play a constructive role in its region. It can be an exporter of terrorism or a responsible member of the international community. But it must make these choices soon." The Committee Chairman Ambassador Nestor Osorio of Colombia briefed the Council on the Committee's and Panel's work during the last three months.
He said the Experts visited the UAE earlier this month to assist the relevant authorities there in their inquiry regarding the items they intercepted on their way to Iran, and which were reported to the Committee last May.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain reportedly informed the Committee that they have intercepted a number of items which could possibly be used in Iran's nuclear programme and sought guidance from the UN. (end) sj.mt KUNA 202204 Sep 12NNNN