Published: February 03, 2006

Reporting Iran to United Nations Sends Clear Signal

Share This Story

By Todd Bullock, Washington File

Iran "continues to ignore" agreements, obligations on nuclear issue, White House says

The international community recognizes the importance of sending a clear and united message to the Iranian regime about its nuclear program, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said January 31.

McClellan confirmed a January 30 decision by the foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - along with Germany and the European Union to ask the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report Iran to the Security Council over Iran's nuclear program.

The IAEA Board of Governors will meet in special session February 2 on what course of action to take against Iran. The IAEA already has found Iran in violation of nuclear obligations and issued a warning to the government in Tehran in September 2005. Iran has insisted its nuclear program is intended only to produce electricity.

"This is a regime that continues to ignore its agreements and obligations," McClellan said, adding that Iran had hidden its nuclear ambitions from the international community for almost two decades.

In January, Iran broke IAEA seals that barred access at a uranium enrichment plant and said it would resume nuclear fuel research. The international community is concerned the fuel research could produce weapons-grade material for a nuclear weapon.

Speaking for the permanent Security Council members in London, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw called on Iran "to restore in full the suspension of enrichment-related activity, including [research and development], under the supervision of the IAEA."

"We expect the board will point out what Tehran needs to do to come into compliance with its IAEA obligations, including the suspension of all enrichment-related activities," the press secretary said.

"The Security Council is going to be looking at Iran's actions," McClellan said, adding that IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei would submit a report in March on Iran's activities to the Security Council, which will take these factors into account before deciding any actions against Iran.

The foreign ministers' statement is available on the IAEA Web site.

For additional information on U.S. policy, see Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

Source: U.S. Department of State