Region | Iran
US turns up heat on Iran
Obama calls for action to show peaceful intentions after discovery of nuclear site.
- AP & Reuters
- Published: 22:53 September 26, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- At a news conference in New York, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country had done nothing wrong and Obama would regret his actions.
Washington: US President Barack Obama said yesterday that Iran must take action to demonstrate its peaceful intentions after the discovery of a covert nuclear facility or it will be held accountable by the world's nations.
In his weekly radio and internet address, Obama said that evidence showing Iran building an underground plant to enrich uranium that could be used for an atomic bomb "continues a disturbing pattern of Iranian evasion" that jeopardises global non-proliferation.
"That is why international negotiations with Iran scheduled for October 1 now take on added urgency," he said, referring to an upcoming meeting between key world powers and Iranian negotiators in Geneva.
He urged Tehran once again to open the site to international inspectors, or face consequences. The chief option is tougher economic sanctions, but on Friday Obama and administration officials did not rule out military action.
"My offer of a serious, meaningful dialogue to resolve this issue remains open," Obama said.
"But Iran must now cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and take action to demonstrate its peaceful intentions."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, at his own news conference, urged Iran to cooperate, as did Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei. He, however, did not endorse sanctions against the country.
"We need to create comfortable conditions for Iran so that it starts cooperation, to create a system of stimuli: freezing (nuclear enrichment) in return for freezing" other sanctions, Medvedev said.
"If these stimuli don't work, if cooperation is not developing, then other mechanisms come into play. I've already spoken about them," he said.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that his country was "100 per cent" focused on a diplomatic resolution, but refused to rule out military action.
In an interview with BBC radio, Miliband repeatedly declined invitations to describe military intervention as inconceivable.
"No sane person looks at the military question of engagement with Iran with anything other than real concern," he said. "That's why we always say we are 100 per cent committed to the diplomatic track.
"On this, the international community is more united than ever before& that Iran must fulfil its responsibilities," Obama said.
Iran, so far, hasn't budged.
At a news conference in New York, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country had done nothing wrong and Obama would regret his actions.
Ahmadinejad said the plant - which Iranian officials say was reported to nuclear authorities as required - would not be operational for 18 months.
Do you think the international community is giving enough chances to Iran to come clean on its nuclear programme? Can Obama resolve US's differences with Iran peacefully?
Your comments
Charity begins at home and the same is applicable in this case/senario. If you do not want anyone else to make the nukes, please dismantle yours first and start asking other to do the same. With regards to all the nations willing to have millitary option to attack Iran, they should have the same action against North Korea and Israel. Iran has all the rights to have the nuclear capabilities for its country.
Amjad Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 12:10
International community hasn't given any chances to clean up their nuclear programme.
Abdul Kareem
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 11:08
Look at who is talking - the only country which has used a nuclear weapon against another country. Every country has the right to develop self defence capabilities.
Abbas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 11:03
The world should be free of nuclear arms. This must start from the countries already having it, it will set an example for other countries and deter them from manufacturing nuclear arms.
Mohammad Javeed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 10:55
If the Iranian Nuclear weapons can destroy or disturb world peace, what about the large amount of Nuclear and Hydrogen weapons stored in western countries? Iran has full rights to develop its self defense against any threat from others. The West should destroy and wipe of its hands before they point their finger at others.
Mohammad Raffik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 10:53
well...IAEA requirements state that country must inform 6 months ahead for any operations in a nuclear plant...Iran informed 18 months in advance.
Iran has opened it's way for UN inspectors to inspect.
It's the US, UK, Israel, France and their allies who show rudeness by walking off the UN room when a president of Iran is speaking...and world expect Iran to still come and negotiate? ...
Hadi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 10:42
No one wants military action if peaceful solution or dialogue helps to resolve the issue. Iran must co operate with international community and find an amicable solution to it. Threatening each other will not solve the issue; it may even damage it more.
Richard Pinto
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 09:31
I wonder the countries favouring tougher sanctions for Iran would ask the same for North Korea, its not even in the picture as Iran is. Additionally, where were these nations when US invaded Iraq saying it had weapons of mass destructions? The matter should be dealt by UN without any direct interference. If Israel can posses nukes then Iran also has every right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes.
Aziz Mohsin
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: September 27, 2009, 09:21
First of all, it is quite embarrassing to note that the US and its four-nuclear allies yet to officially recognize other nuclear capable countries. The discrimination still continues. In this modern world, security is the most dangerous concern for everyone, and to safeguard their personal interests, each country has its own way of looking at things unless a coordinated effort is made to improve the welfare of the people. Tomorrow it would be another country learning the nuclear technology and could easily build weapons of mass destruction. It proves that the world is advancing and everybody is learning from each other. Iran being the spotlight ever since its nuclear ambitions came to public, is now facing economic sanctions and isolation from rest of the world in various aspects. The international community must urge the nuclear states to completely abandon their stock of weapons and then ask Iran to follow suit. Obamas way of tackling the issue is entirely different. He needs support, but I doubt he will succeed in his mission. The effective implementation of CTBT and NPT would not be possible unless and until the objectives are clear and transparent. Prior to which all countries including the so-called nuclear powers must destroy their thousands of weapons in the stock. Then talking about CTBT and NPT makes sense to rest of the world. We must realise that nuclear weapons are of no way safeguard us in any form; rather it destroys us and the nature too.
Ramachandran Nair
Ruwi,Oman
Posted: September 27, 2009, 09:15
The International community is applying double standards on its nuclear Policies. when it comes to Israel they seem to turn a blind eye with having no inspections of its nuclear sites. On the other hand, Iran is cooperating with IAEA for inspections, yet the world powers are pressurising it.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 09:15
I think international community is biased in that region. They are trying to pressurise one nation and on the other hand giving a free hand to Israel which is a permanent threat in the region.
Javed Hussain Khan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 08:52
Well, Iran is a powerful country and is rich in natural recourses with a well equipped army. Iran has the right to do so as any other country. Everyone knows nuclear consequences so its best to stop this.
Haider
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 08:31
Certainly as it has been offered long ago. If Iran is willing to cooperate why not. Ahmadinejad should seat in the negotiating table and agrees to the terms and condition amenable to all.
Danilo R. Rizol
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 27, 2009, 04:57
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