Tehran exploiting council divisions

New York: Iran is exploiting divisions within the United Nations Security Council to thwart any attempt to halt its controversial nuclear programme.

Western diplomats at the UN headquarters in New York privately accept that the legacy of the war in Iraq makes achieving consensus among the council's five permanent members - Britain, France, Russia, the US and China - far harder. US diplomats express frustration with the lack of resolve of their European allies, including Britain.

Iran's regime continues to defy three UN resolutions by enriching uranium inside its nuclear plant in Natanz. So far, the Security Council has responded by passing two resolutions imposing limited sanctions on Iran.

A third was expected to follow the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran's compliance with the UN's demands.

The IAEA reported on May 23 that Iran had "not suspended its enrichment activities", and the agency could not "provide assurances" about the "peaceful nature" of Tehran's nuclear programme.

But no new sanctions resolution has yet appeared. Both America and Britain have prepared drafts - believed to include tough restrictions on the movement of Iranian cargo ships and aircraft - but neither has been confident enough to bring them to a vote.

Russia and China both oppose tougher measures.

Emyr Jones Parry, Britain's ambassador to the UN, told The Daily Telegraph that he was preparing a "further sanctions resolution which will ratchet up the pressure for compliance by Iran". He added that the "preferred outcome" was for Iran to meet its obligations.