Iran has rejected a mandatory United Nations Security Council resolution which demands that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, including research and development, by the end of August or face further action in the Council, including sanctions. Uranium enrichment or reprocessing could give Iran the capability to produce material for nuclear weapons. Here's White House spokesman Tony Snow:
"What will happen is if the Iranians stick to that position, that by the end of the month [August] the Security Council will meet and plan the next steps ahead. They understand what the position is."
Since 2003, Iran has refused to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency. U.S. Ambassador to the U-N John Bolton says, "Sadly, Iran has consistently and brazenly defied the international community by continuing its pursuit of nuclear weapons":
"The pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security, and demands a clear statement from the Council in the firm of a binding resolution."
U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says the resolution sends a "strong signal to the Iranian regime":
"They don't have anywhere to hide right now. They can't hide behind anybody. They, at this point, don't have any protectors. So the spotlight is on them to see whether or not they are going to make the tough decisions. Are they going to pursue the pathway of negotiation? Are they going to pursue the pathway of further isolation? This resolution shows that they are. . . .going down that road of further isolation."
President George W. Bush says, "The Iranians must hear loud and clear with this resolution the world is intent upon working together to make sure that they do not end up with a nuclear weapon or the know-how to build a nuclear weapon."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.
