VIENNA (AP) A senior U.S. diplomat urged Iran on Wednesday to follow up on good will generated by moderate statements from its new president with actions that ease suspicions it is trying to make nuclear arms.
The tone of outreach instead of censure reflected Washington's hopes that Tehran will seize the moment created by change in its political leadership and act to ease international tensions over its nuclear ambitions
Still, U.S. envoy Joseph Macmanus warned of tough diplomatic action unless Tehran cooperates with U.N. experts trying to determine whether it ever worked on such weapons a threat echoed by a statement from the European community.
Iran insists it wants to harness the atom only to generate power or for scientific or medical purposes. But Western comments at a high-level session of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency reflected more than a decade of fears that Tehran also seeks the ability to be able to make nuclear arms.
In comments to the IAEA's 35-nation board, Macmanus noted the "unique moment" produced by the election triumph of President Hasan Rouhani over more hard-line rivals.