Iran threatens US over nuclear issue

Iran threatened America yesterday with "harm and pain" in case of possible sanctions as Tehran was finally referred to the UN Security Council for action over its suspected nuclear weapons programme.

A senior Iranian national official warned: "The United States may have the power to cause harm and pain but it is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if the United States wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll."

The official, Javad Vaeedi, was speaking on the sidelines of a board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, which wound up yesterday by seeking formal action by the Security Council, after months of procrastination because of resistance from Russia and China.

Asked whether the Islamic Republic could use an "oil weapon", Mr Vaeedi said: "We will not (do so now), but if the situation changes, we will have to review our oil policies."

The warning drew a strong response from White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who said: "Provocative statements and actions only further isolate Iran from the rest of the world."
Amid the escalating war of words, in which Under-secretary of State Nicholas Burns said in Washington that Iran "directly threatens vital American interests," the IAEA director-general, Mohamed El Baradei urged both the West and Iran to adopt a "cool-headed approach, to lower the rhetoric."

The US representative in Vienna, Gregory Schulte, called for the UN Security Council to "emphasise that Iran will face consequences" if it fails to comply with international demands laid down by the IAEA and which will be considered by the council next week.

The European Union's statement made it clear that Tehran had failed to satisfy the agency.

"Indicators of a possibly military dimension to Iran's programme continue to be a legitimate source of intense concern," said Thomas Stelzer, the Austrian delegate, on behalf of the EU.

Although the Security Council is empowered to order sanctions, European and US diplomats hope that, as a first step, a consensus can be reached in the 15-member council for a formal demand that Tehran returns to a freeze on sensitive nuclear-related activities.

Iran's reopening of facilities that can enrich uranium to weapons grade strength prompted an international crisis two months ago which compromise Russian proposals have failed to resolve.

A senior analyst warned that the outcome of next week's council discussions were unpredictable, notably because of open opposition from Russia and China to sanctions.

Both countries have strong economic ties to Iran, which insists that its nuclear intentions are purely peaceful and maintains that it has a treaty right to enrich uranium on its own soil.

"The Russians have agreed to go to the council, but up to what point is still not clear," said a European diplomat.

There is also some concern about the mixed messages emanating from the Bush administration - including warnings from vice-president Dick Cheney and UN ambassador John Bolton of possible military action - which could prove counter-productive.

"The Americans are giving the impression they favour regime change.

That is not an incentive for the Iranians to comply," the senior analyst said.

The EU yesterday left open the door to a diplomatic solution, and Mr El Baradei said yesterday that future negotiations with Europe - which has taken the lead on Iran for the past three years - should also include the United States on the issue of security guarantees for Iran.

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