Speaking in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of a tour of Middle East countries, Rice reiterated that the United States has no indication that Iran intends to suspend enrichment. She said the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany would consult “shortly” on Iran.
“We are continuing to hope that Iran will suspend its enrichment activities but we have no evidence that it is (going) to do so,” she said at a news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
“Should it not then the only choice for the international community is to live up to the terms of resolution 1696 … and that means to bring sanctions,” she said.
The Security Council has threatened to impose sanctions unless Iran suspends enrichment, a process the West says could lead to Iran making nuclear bombs. Iran says its nuclear activities are aimed purely at civilian electricity generation.
Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil exporter, which is brimming with petrodollars, has shrugged off the threat of sanctions. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran will not be deflected from its right to nuclear technology, despite Western pressure.
