Robert Gibbs
Photo: AP
US: Iran running out of time to head off sanctions
White House says Tehran must comply with West's demands over nuclear program or face more sanctions devised by Six Powers
WASHINGTON – The White House sent a strong message to Iran Wednesday, saying it was running out of time to head off international sanctions for not complying with the West's demands over its nuclear program.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Iran still had time to live up to its international obligations and that "if they don't, time will run out" and Western powers will move to the "next step."
Confidence
Oil official says legislation to impose punitive measures on Islamic republic will not cause any problems because Tehran has 'long list of suppliers of gasoline'
Should Iran persist in its refusal, the Six Powers will formulate sanctions which could take effect by next year.
Any decision, added Gibbs, would have to be cleared by the UN Security Council, which is set to convene on January 1, 2010.
Gibbs seemed confident that Washington will be able to rally the support it needs with the Security Council in order to impose biting sanction on Tehran, should it continue to snub the West.
Reuters contributed to this report
