The Security Council should impose additional sanctions on Iran over its stalling of a U.N. investigation into allegations that Tehran tried to make nuclear weapons, France said Tuesday. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, issued a report Monday that said Iran has repeatedly blocked an investigation into its nuclear program and the probe is now deadlocked.
"We have no other choice than to work in the days and weeks to come toward a new Security Council sanctions resolution," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said. According to the AP, he called the IAEA findings "very worrisome."
However, Russia and China, who like the U.S. and France have veto power over U.N. Security Council resolutions, would likely resist a fourth round of sanctions against Iran.
China said Tuesday that imposing further sanctions on Iran will not resolve the nuclear impasse. "I don't think sanctions are the way out," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. But Jiang also said China hoped Iran would keep cooperating with the IAEA. "The solution of the Iranian nuclear issue is negotiation and dialogue," she told a regular news briefing. "We hope the relevant parties will step up diplomatic efforts and settle the issue peacefully through dialogue and negotiations."
