British PM warns Iran of further sanctions

London: Britain announced a new range of sanctions against Iran stemming from the country's refusal of an incentives offer to reduce its nuclear programme.

Britain will freeze assets of Iran's largest bank in a further move to discourage the country from developing nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at a news conference with US President George W Bush.

Brown said Britain was prepared to raise the sanctions against Iran, and they will work to convince Europe to follow suit.

"Britain will urge Europe and Europe will agree to take sanctions against Iran," Brown said.

"Action will start today in new phase of sanctions on oil and gas. We will take any necessary action so that Iran is aware of the choice it needs to make."

Brown said his government wanted to do all it could to maintain a dialogue with Tehran.

"But we are also clear that if Iran continues to ignore (United Nations) resolutions, to ignore our offers of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions," the prime minister said.

"I will repeat that we will take any necessary action so that Iran is aware of the choice it has to make _ to start to play its part as a full and respected member of the international community, or face further isolation."