LOC20:40
17:40 GMT
WASHINGTON, May 19 (KUNA) -- The US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice
affirmed Wednesday that if the new set of sanctions are adopted against Iran
it will be "the strongest sanctions regime against any country in the world
today."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the US Senate Foreign Relations
Committee on Tuesday that the five permanent members of the UN Security
Council had agreed on additional "strong" Iran sanctions.
Speaking to MSNBC TV station, Rice detailed the nature of the new set of
sanctions that include new restrictions on arms sales and will restrict Iran's
ability to conduct ballistic missile tests that could launch a nuclear weapon,
in addition to sanctions that would strict inspections of cargo, of contraband
materials.
She pointed out to the Iranian governments concern over the sanctions,
saying "just look how hard it is working to prevent these sanctions from going
into effect," and noted Iran's active efforts to thwart these sanctions are an
indication of how they view them and view them as serious."
"Sanctions are one tool," Rice acknowledged and added that the sanctions
are not "ends in themselves," as they aim to limit "Iran's ability to fund and
pursue its nuclear and proliferation activities."
The US has a dual-track approach, which includes pressure on the one hand,
an opportunity to resolve it diplomatically on the other, "and we're going to
continue to pursue both tracks," Rice concluded. (end)
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