Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday Iran’s assertion it has enriched uranium will require “strong steps” from the United Nations Security Council. By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday Iran’s assertion it has enriched uranium will require “strong steps” from the United Nations Security Council.
Rice said the announcement on Tuesday from Tehran that it has begun nuclear enrichment was further proof it was not adhering to requirements already set out by the international community.
“I do think the Security Council will need to take into consideration this move by Iran,” Rice said at the State Department. She urged that when the council reconvened at the end of this month it should take “strong steps to make certain that we maintain the credibility of the international community.”
Rice did not indicate what the steps might be but her spokesman Sean McCormack said it would be stronger than the presidential statement by the Security Council last month after weeks of wrangling at the United Nations.
Asked about the possibility of sanctions on Iran, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: “That’s a possibility as well, that’s one option that’s available.” Russia and China, key players on the Iran issue with veto rights, strongly oppose sanctions.
(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick)
