European Union foreign ministers are threatening to boost pressure on Iran to stop controversial elements of its nuclear program, but they are divided on the possibility of military action.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the ministers are not considering military action “at the moment,” but that “all options should remain on the table.” Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal also declined to rule out discussions on military intervention.
However, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle completely ruled out talks on military intervention, rejecting such discussions as “counterproductive.” The ministers spoke publicly before meeting in Brussels Monday.
On Sunday, U.S. President Barack Obama said sanctions on Iran are having “enormous bite and scope.” He said he would consult with China and Russia on more steps to pressure Tehran to stop its alleged efforts to make a nuclear weapon under cover of its civilian nuclear program.
The president met with his Chinese and Russian counterparts during the APEC summit in Hawaii to discuss a new report from the U.N. nuclear agency that found “credible” evidence of Iranian efforts to design a nuclear weapon.
Mr. Obama said Beijing and Moscow agree that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and trigger a nuclear arms race in the region.
Last week's U.N. report alleges Iran has been working to acquire equipment and weapons design information. The report says Tehran has been testing high explosives and detonators while also developing computer models of a warhead's core.
Western powers have warned that Iran faces more sanctions if it fails to address their concerns raised in the U.N. report. Iran rejected the report and insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
The U.N. Security Council has imposed four sets of sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to halt nuclear activities that could have military as well as civilian purposes.
However, neither China nor Russia has indicated they would support additional U.N. sanctions in the nuclear dispute.
