EU turns up Iran heat as Russia seeks compromise

BERLIN - EU powers began circulating a draft resolution to order a meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog on Iran's nuclear programme, but said they were considering a Russian plan for more diplomacy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is to hold a meeting on February 2 at the request of the EU powers, the first step that could see Iran hauled before the UN Security Council.

France, Britain, Germany and the United States are expected to push to have Tehran referred to the council after it resumed nuclear research.

The EU's Javier Solana said European states were considering a Russian proposal that could delay a formal referral of Iran.

Solana said Russia had suggested the IAEA should call for a UN Security Council session to debate Iran's case, but that there be no formal referral.

"There is the issue of whether it goes to the UN Security Council - this is a question that has to be answered," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. "We have to send a signal to Iran that shows the international community won't accept it if Iran doesn't respect the commitments that are expected of it and the promises made."

French Prime Minister Domenique de Villepin said the door remained open for further diplomacy.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the resolution drafted by France, Britain and German was "politically motivated" and called on the EU3 to "step down from their ivory towers".

The US and EU said they saw no point in further talks with Iran and it was time for the Security Council to tackle the issue. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there was "not much to talk about".

Iran has begun to lobby developing nations on the IAEA board ahead of any vote. Ahmadinejad is going to Syria on Wednesday, his oil minister is visiting India and other Iranian officials are in Egypt and South Africa.


The high stakes of diplomatic game


* Putting in the groundwork

Britain, France and Germany are striving to win over China, Russia before submitting the motion to the IAEA for an emergency meeting in February. Russian and Chinese backing needed as they wield Security Council vetoes.

* Where key players stand

Moscow and Beijing are wary of punishing Iran, in part because of close trade ties. Developing states oppose a crackdown for fear of a precedent curbing access to nuclear technology. Western diplomats hope Tehran's increasingly hardline stance will swing their decisions.

* Emergency board meeting

The IAEA board will convene on February 2 at the request of the EU3 to decide on the resolution. Western diplomats want at least a two-thirds majority to widen a Security Council mandate for possible action. Non-Western states including Russia and China comprise 22 of the 35 board.

* What happens at the Security Council?

The council would first try warnings to Iran to renounce nuclear work in exchange for trade incentives and security guarantees. If Iran refused, the council could consider sanctions. These would be difficult to realise as many countries aside from the US rely on oil imports from Iran.

* Iran's trump card

Iran has said its nuclear research aims only to generate electricity. But while calling for a return to talks with the EU, Tehran has hinted it could play "the oil card" to weaken its critics' resolve. Iran could pull part of its daily crude sales of 2.4 million barrels from world markets.

* If all else fails, military action?

The US and Israel have mooted the possibility of military action against Iran if diplomacy fails. But most diplomats see little chance of attacks since Iran's nuclear plants are widely dispersed and well-defended.

- REUTERS