Israel commends IAEA resolution on Iran
Foreign Ministry says resolution on secret uranium plant shows international community's concern
The ministry said a time schedule must be set for the International Atomic Energy Agency's resolution, which calls on Iran to immediately halt construction of the Fordow enrichment plant and confirm it has no other covert plants, and that if Iran were to stray from the time schedule it should be sanctioned.
"The significance of the resolution is that it determines that Iran continues to violate Security Council and IAEA resolutions."
The Foreign Ministry added that the resolution proves the international community is concerned about such secretive behavior on the part of Iran.
"The passing of the resolution with such a huge majority proves the international community has concluded that Iran's nuclear program, progressing through deceit and concealment, has become a significant and urgent danger to world peace," the statement added.
A US official said the world should send a clear message that Tehran will face consequences if it fails to engage with major powers on the nuclear issue, but added that the US fears more sanctions would harm the Iranian people.
"We hope that the board of governors resolution reinforces the message that, you know, we're committed to putting together a package of consequences if we don't find a willing partner. We hope Iran takes note of that clear message," the official told reporters.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the IAEA resolution "the strongest and most definitive statement yet made by the countries who are very worried about nuclear ambitions on the part of Iran."
Nations were "absolutely clear that Iran has misled the international community," Brown said at a Commonwealth summit in Trinidad. "(They are) sending the clearest possible signal to Iran that they should desist from their nuclear plans, that the world knows what they are doing and trying to do, and that they should accept the offers that have been made."
Glyn Davies, the chief US delegate to the IAEA, told reporters that "six nations ... for the first time came together ... (and) have put together this resolution we all agreed on. That's a significant development".
"Our hand is still held out," he added. "I hope Iran will take it. Iran must know: our patience is not infinite." Davies declined to discuss sanctions but also indicated time was running out.
"The United States remains firmly committed to a peaceful resolution to international concerns over Iran's nuclear program," he said. "We also remain willing to engage Iran to work toward a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dilemma it has created itself, if Iran would only choose such a course.
Reuters and AP contributed to this report
