Iran Nuclear Watch,  Politics

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment Work

IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei briefs the media during a board of governors meeting in Vienna’s U.N. headquarters, February 2, 2006.

ASSociated Press: Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment Work

Iran threatened to retaliate Thursday in the face of almost certain referral to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the dispute was “reaching a critical phase.”

Ahead of a decision by the IAEA’s 35-nation board, U.S. and European delegates turned to behind-the-scenes diplomacy to build the broadest possible support for reporting Iran to the council over concerns it is seeking nuclear weapons.

Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and a few other nations at odds with Washington remained opposed. India was said to be leaning toward supporting referral.

Diplomats accredited to the meeting said backing for Iran had shrunk among the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s board since Russia and China swung their support behind referral at an overnight meeting with the United States, France and Britain – the other three permanent council members – that started Monday.

“There’s a solid majority in favor of reporting,” Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. delegate to the IAEA, told The Associated Press. “There’s even a more solid majority after Monday.”

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA Aliasghar Soltaniyeh reads at the beginning of a board of governors meeting in Vienna’s U.N. headquarters, February 2, 2006.

And Iran will eventually (probably March) be referred to the United Nations Security Council……. then……..

Flap handicaps Iran will then make a response besides bloviating rhetoric…….

Stay tuned…….

Previous:


Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Says BACK OFF Or…

Iran Nuclear Watch: Bush – United States Will Defend Israel Against Iran

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will Resist “Bully Nations”

Iran Watch: Bush: Iran ‘Held Hostage’ by Clerical Elite

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Documents Point to Nuclear Warheads


Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Threatens End of Diplomacy


Iran Nuclear Watch: Permanent Five Say IAEA Must Report Iran to U.N. Security Council

The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.


Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,