Following talks in Brussels over Iran's nuclear program, the European Union on Monday called for intervention by the United Nations Security Council, an option which had been weighed heavily in recent weeks.
The request, however, stopped short of officially referring Iran to the Council for sanctions.
Though Iran said that the talks were positive, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy expressed frustration over the deadloc, saying, “The negotiating process has reached an impasse and the involvement of the Security Council is needed to ensure that the requests -- many times repeated -- of the agency are respected,” reported Reuters.
He stressed, however, that negotiations rather than UNSC referral remained an option were Iran to comply with guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The agency is set to hold talks regarding Iran and possible referral on Thursday, where EU officials are expected to present a resolution regarding their recommendations.
Ursula Plassnik, Foreign Minister of Austria, which is currently serving EU presidency, hinted that the EU might discuss UN involvement in the matter at Thursday's meeting.
Additionally, Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief, stated that the UN would be summoned if Iran did not change its position on its nuclear program.
“They have broken the seals (on uranium enrichment machinery) and they must change that,” he said.
Russia and China, however, who hold a commercial stake in Iran, have shown reluctance to refer the country to the UN for fear of sanctions.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reiterated the position of the United States, stressing the need to refer Iran to the Council at a news conference on Monday in London. She cited the Islamic Republic's repeated failure to comply with the IAEA.
“They need to suspend the activities that they have reengaged in and get back to negotiations,” she said.
“Differences on tactics and timings there may be, but I don’t see anyone saying to the Iranians that they are on the right side of the issue. The Iranians need to hear that message.”
Though Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is for civilian needs, many in the west fear that it will use its technology to create nuclear weapons.
In response to Monday's developments, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated on Tuesday that there was no legal basis to referring Iran to the UN Security Council.
He added that a diplomatic solution to the crisis was within reach.
"There is no legal basis to refer Iran's case to the Security Council and the Europeans will face difficulties doing so," he said, according to ISNA, adding, "I still believe that a diplomatic solution can be found to get out of this crisis."
Larijani reiterates importance of continued negotiations
Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council, also responded to the developments, saying on Tuesday that continuing talks was crucial to resolving Iran's nuclear crisis.
"I still believe we can obtain good results through negotiations," he said, according to IRNA.
Speaking of possible referral of Iran to the Security Council, Larijani added, "We do not welcome this and still believe we can settle the issue peacefully."
He reiterated the legitimacy of Iran's nuclear program, saying, "Iran's right for access to peaceful nuclear technology should be officially recognized. No one should resist the Iranian nation's will."
Larijani also pointed, "Iran always makes decisions based on its national interests.
Our relations with the East has been defined within the framework of our national interests."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
