US, Europe slam Iran over its enrichment programme

United Nations: The US and European powers have slammed Iran for its decision to begin uranium enrichment at a site near Qom, expressing concern that activities at the underground bunker has no “credible civilian use” and violates UN resolutions pertaining to Tehran’s nuclear programme. Envoys from Britain, France, Germany and the US said Iran should not go ahead with the uranium enrichment and return to the negotiating table while complying with UNSC and IAEA resolutions. US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo told reporters after a UN Security Council meeting here that several members have expressed concern over Iran’s latest move. “Obviously, Iran has no justification for enriching uranium at this level, not for peaceful uses. We have very serious concerns about this blatant disregard for fulfillment of their international obligations,” she said. DiCarlo said Iran must come back to the negotiating table for a solution that “restores international confidence that Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful in nature-exclusively peaceful in nature.” [caption id=“attachment_179860” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The US and European powers have slammed Iran for its decision to begin uranium enrichment at a site near Qom. AP”] [/caption] French Deputy Permanent Representative Martin Briens said the Qom facility has been clandestine and Iran enriching uranium at a level up to 20 per cent has “no credible civilian use,” which is a “worrying development.” Briens said Iran’s latest move was a violation of resolutions of the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors adding that France will continue to pursue a “dual track” approach of “dialogue and pressure” to deal with the Iranian nuclear programme. “We keep on trying to get serious negotiations to start. But so far Iran has not responded. Also, as part of the dual track policy, we are working on further sanctions.” Germany’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Miguel Berger said: “We are very troubled about the situation and we see this as a step of escalation on the part of Iran.” Expressing disappointment that Iran has not responded favourably to sit down for talks, Berger said: “we call (on the Iranian government) to end immediately the enrichment, to come back to the negotiation table and to comply fully with the resolutions of the IAEA and the Security Council.” The envoys said it is unlikely that the 15-nation council would impose a fifth round of UN sanctions on Iran in the near future given that Russia and China, both veto powers, have resisted such an action. Britain’s Deputy UN Ambassador Philip Parham said Russia too feels the latest development in Iran was a matter for concern while China spoke about the need to comply with international obligations. PTI