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Iran accused of sanctions violations

September 08, 2011

An anti-aircraft gun position is seen at Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in 2007.

At the United Nations, the United States, Britain, France and Germany have accused Iran of violating UN sanctions prohibiting any launches using ballistic missile technology, as well as an arms embargo.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the four countries reported the ballistic missile violation to the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Iran.

"We must redouble our efforts to sharpen the choice for Iran's leaders to abandon their dangerous course," said Rice.

Britain's UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the violation occurred when Iran launched the Rasad 1 satellite in June, "which is dependent on ballistic missile technology."

France's UN representative, Martin Briens, accused Iran of using the current chaos in Syria and Libya to speed up efforts to manufacture a nuclear bomb.

"Iran's military, nuclear and ballistic ambitions pose a growing threat," said Briens. "The alarming signals are accumulating."

The United Nations Security Council has passed four rounds of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

Tehran, however, denies it is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

compiled from agency reports

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Topics: Sanctions,