British FM David Miliband
Photo: AFP
Britain threatens more sanctions on Iran
British FM says his country will push for tighter sanctions on Teheran if it continues to defy international demands regarding its nuclear program. Newly appointed minister says Hamas must comply with Quartet demands
Britain will press for a third UN resolution that tightens sanctions on Iran if it continues to defy Western pressure to suspend uranium enrichment, newly appointed Foreign Minister David Miliband said in an interview with the London-based Financial Times on Monday.
Iran "doesn't have the right to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," Miliband told the business daily, adding that Iran "has every right to be a secure rich country."
Iran has so far rejected any halt in its enrichment work, to which it claims a right in what it says is a peaceful effort to generate electricity, in accord with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The United States claims however that Iran is using this program as a cover for the secret development of nuclear weapons.
The UN Security Council could toughen Iran sanctions, which now target people and institutions involved in its nuclear and missiles programs, and impose travel bans, freezing of bank accounts and inspections of Iranian cargo ships and aircraft.
"I think the whole of the international community wants a non-military, diplomatic solution to this problem," Miliband said, adding however that Britain is "ready to work with our partners on a third resolution."
The foreign minister added that he believes it is "very, very important that the international community remains clear and united on this issue.
Miliband also refused to repeat a guarantee made by one of his predecessors, Jack Straw, that military action against Iran was "inconceivable".
'Hamas must recognize Israel'
Miliband also addressed the current situation in the Middle East, saying that the international community must not relax its demand that Hamas recognize Israel.
“To suddenly say that there’s flexibility about one of the two states Israel having been there at all I think is not a sensible way of proceeding," he said of Hamas' continuing refusal to recognize Israel.
Miliband acknowledged that Hamas played a "crucial role” in the release of British journalist Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped by a Palestinian group in Gaza and freed last week.
