G8 political directors to discuss sanctions against Iran in Moscow
01.01.70
WASHINGTON, April 15 (Itar-Tass) -- The United States will raise the theme of imposing sanctions on Iran, when the G8 political directors meet in Moscow next week, Department of State spokesman Sean McCormack said on Friday.
He said the consultations U.S. Under Secretary of State Nick Burns would be holding in Moscow with his G8 counterparts and a Chinese delegate would be devoted to producing decisions on further diplomatic steps and real action the U.N. Security Council might take towards Iran.
McCormack said the international community had certain leverage at its disposal to put pressures on Teheran, including resolutions under article 7 of the U.N. Charter, providing for the introduction of sanctions for defiance of its decisions.
Such sanctions might include a freeze on financial assets and travel restrictions on certain Iranian officials, McCormack said.
About Russia’s position the U.S. Department of State spokesman said that in his opinion Russia was very concerned over Iran’s nuclear problem and took it very seriously.
Russia and the United States are divided over tactical steps, but the strategic goal remains the same – all countries are not interested in Iran having nuclear arms, he said.
McCormack announced that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei held a telephone conversation on Friday to discuss the results of ElBaradei’s trip to Iran. The IAEA chief confirmed he sounded a clear message to Teheran it should comply with IAEA Board of Governors’ resolutions.