Britain threatens more sanctions on Iran

Britain will press for a third UN resolution that tightens sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy Western pressure to suspend uranium enrichment, newly appointed Foreign Minister David Miliband said in an interview with the London-based Financial Times on Monday.

Iran "doesn't have the right to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," Miliband told the business daily, adding that Iran "has every right to be a secure rich country."

Iran has so far rejected any halt in its enrichment work, to which it claims a right in what it says is a peaceful effort to generate electricity, in accord with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The United States claims however that Iran is using this program as a cover for the secret development of nuclear weapons.

The UN Security Council could toughen Iran sanctions, which now target people and institutions involved in its nuclear and missiles programs, and impose travel bans, freezing of bank accounts and inspections of Iranian cargo ships and aircraft.

"I think the whole of the international community wants a non-military, diplomatic solution to this problem," Miliband said, adding however that Britain is "ready to work with our partners on a third resolution."

The foreign minister added that he believes it is "very, very important that the international community remains clear and united on this issue.

Source: Ynetnews, Israel (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3422867,00.html)