Big powers agree on pressing Iran

LONDON - The world's big powers have agreed to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear programme.

Foreign ministers from China, Russia, the United States, France and Britain as well as Germany and the European Union said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must decide to bring Iran's case before the Security Council when the agency meets tomorrow in Vienna.

The ministers met in London to co-ordinate their position ahead of the emergency IAEA board meeting.

If the board agrees to refer it to the Security Council, Iran might face sanctions. However, there are many steps before the council can impose these against Iran.

British Foreign Minister Jack Straw said the ministers decided the council would take no action until next month, after it had received a formal report on Iran from the IAEA.

This appears to be a concession to Russia, which did not want the council to be pushed into taking immediate steps against Tehran.

A senior US official said the statement meant Russia and China were now on board with the United States and the European powers that there must be strong action taken by the IAEA in Vienna to discourage Tehran from pursuing atomic research that could enable the country to build a nuclear bomb.

"This is the most powerful message we could have hoped for," said a senior US official, who said the discussions over dinner in London had been animated.

The ministers said the Security Council should wait for a report expected to be delivered by IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei at the agency's March meeting before taking action.

Iran's top nuclear official said any moves to send Iran's case to the Security Council were not legally justified.

"There is no legal basis to refer Iran's case to the Security Council and the Europeans will face difficulties doing so," Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, said, adding that a diplomatic solution could be found.

Iran insists on its right to nuclear technology and has alarmed the international community by restarting nuclear research previously under IAEA seal.

- REUTERS