Powell warns Iran of action if it moves to seek nuclear weapons

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 15, 2004

Powell warns Iran of action if it moves to seek nuclear weapons

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US Secretary of State Colin Powell issued a stern warning to Iran on Sunday, saying that the international community will take action if Tehran continues to move in the direction of seeking a nuclear weapon.

Speaking in an interview with Fox New Sunday program, Powell said the United States is worried about Iran's nuclear program and have brought a great deal of international pressure on Tehran together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Union and Russia.

He accused Iran of trying to deny it had any nuclear weapons program and cheating on its obligations to the IAEA.

"If they (Iranians) continue in this manner, to deny and to putout the kind of statements as they did, they will find that the international community will be prepared to take action when next the IAEA meets in June," Powell said.

"If the IAEA finds their actions unsatisfactory, it has the option of referring it to the (United Nations) Security Council for action," he said.

Asked what kind of action the United States will push for, Powell refused to specify but stressed that the world community will not sit by idly if Tehran continues its efforts to seek nuclear weapons.

"I won't prejudge now what those actions might be, but the Iranians need to understand that the international community is not going to just sit by idly while they continue to move in the direction of a nuclear weapon," the secretary said.

Responding to an IAEA resolution condemning Iran for its attempt to seek nuclear weapons, Iran announced Saturday that it suspends inspection of its nuclear facilities by the international nuclear watchdog.

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