In light of the most recent report on its nuclear activities, the US has pledged that additional sanctions will be imposed on Iran. According to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran had made some progress towards transparency. However, it was persisting with its programme of uranium enrichment and, in so doing, defying the UN Security Council.

"Selective cooperation", said the White House, was "not good enough."

US Concerned that Iran is Actively Pursuing Nuclear Capability

Both the US and allied nations fear that Iran is active in the field of nuclear weapon development. Such concerns have been denied by Tehran, which maintains it was represented positively in the report.

Three months ago, Iran agreed to cooperate with the IAEA, under which terms Tehran vowed to respond to queries on the state of its nuclear activity. The new IAEA report congratulated Iran for taking some steps in this regard. "Iran", it said, "...has provided sufficient access to individuals and has responded in a timely manner to questions and provided clarifications and amplifications on issues raised in the context of the work plan."

Despite the praise, however, the IAEA described the form in which Iran had cooperated thus far as "reactive", as opposed to "proactive". The agency added that its investigations in respect of Iran having provided full and complete information remained ongoing.

Iran Continuing With Uranium Enrichment Programme

Additionally, the report highlighted how the IAEA's knowledge of the current state of Tehran's nuclear programme was on the wane. It detailed how Iran's government has been running 3,000 centrifuges (the devices used in the enrichment of uranium) at Natanz - the site of a major plant. "Contrary to the decisions of the Security Council, Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities", the report highlighted.

Commenting on the report, Dana Perino, a spokeswoman from the White House, said: "This report indicates that Iran continues to defy the international community and two unanimous UN Security Council resolutions."

Ms Perino added that the report's content reinforced Iran's disinterest "...in working with the rest of the world".

Looking to the immediate future, a meeting of Security Council representatives will be held on the 19^th November. Here, said Ms Perino, new sanctions will be worked on.

Source - Armed Forces International's US Correspondent

Recent related News Items:

Iranian President Attacks US Military Sanctions

Iran Needs Eight Years to Develop Nuclear Weapons

Iranian President's Nuclear Comments Attacked by US

Iran's President Speaks on Sanctions, Nuclear Issues