|
Washington: US Vice-President Dick Cheney acknowledged that a US intelligence report finding that Iran halted its nuclear weapons drive in 2003 may hamper diplomatic efforts to confront Tehran.
Speaking in an interview with the US politics online magazine Politico.com, Cheney said of Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, “Perhaps, but it wasn’t easy to begin with.”
He added, “We don’t get to say we only pursue those policies that are easy,” in response to a question about the impact the US National Intelligence Estimate would have on a US push for new sanctions on Iran.
The comments made Cheney the most senior US official to accept directly that the document could complicate Washington’s drive for a third round of UN sanctions on Iran if it refuses to stop enriching uranium.
Cheney has previously said that there would be “serious consequences” if Tehran did not freeze uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
Meanwhile, Britain said on Thursday it will continue to press for fresh sanctions against Iran.
Writing in the Financial Times newspaper, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the country should not be afraid of “diplomacy with teeth” as "the alternatives are all worse."
|
