US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that world powers were preparing tough new sanctions against Iran, after Tehran started enriching uranium to a higher level.Speaking at an impromptu appearance at the White House daily press briefing, the president said the Islamic Republic appears to have spurned his offer of engagement.
Obama said his administration has “bent over backwards” to demonstrate to Iran its willingness to engage in dialogue.
“Despite the posturing that the nuclear power is only for civilian use … they in fact continue to pursue a course that would lead to weaponization, and that is not acceptable to the international community,” Obama said, according to AFP.
Iran announced on Tuesday that it has begun enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, defying Western warnings of sanctions.
Now the United States and its allies are “developing a significant regime of sanctions that will indicate to them how alone they are,” Obama said.
Major powers were looking at a “variety of ways” to apply pressure on Iran, Obama told reporters, without detailing them.
Asked how quickly six world powers were moving toward a new United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran, Obama replied: “It’s moving along fairly quickly.”
Obama praised Russia for its firm response to Iran’s intransigence, but expressed uncertainty on China’s stance.
Still, Obama said he was confident the international community is “unified around Iran’s misbehavior in this area,” reports Reuters.
One of the difficulties of dealing with Iran, Obama added, is that “it is not always clear who is speaking on behalf of the government.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it was “wrong” of the world powers to seek a new UN sanctions resolution.
Sources: Agence France-Presse, Reuters , Washington TV
