US warns Iran: time and patience 'running out'

WASHINGTON, Feb 23, 2010 (AFP) - The United States warned Iran Tuesday that "time and patience is running out" over its suspect nuclear program, saying Tehran had shown no interest in allaying world fears.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs reiterated US warnings of "consequences" if Iran continues to develop uranium enrichment capabilities.


Recent pronouncements by Iranian leaders showed "they have no interest in building international confidence that their nuclear program is for peaceful means," he added.

Tehran said Monday it was considering building two more uranium enrichment plants concealed inside mountains to protect them from air strikes.

But a day later, it submitted a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying it was prepared to buy fuel for a nuclear reactor or swap its own stockpile of low-enriched uranium for the fuel, albeit on its own territory.

The West has offered to make such a trade only outside Iran.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the latest Iranian proposal was "unacceptable."

"We will continue to work within the IAEA and also consult from the international standpoint on appropriate next steps, including the prospect of sanctions," Crowley said.

"We have not closed the door to further engagement, but you have actually to have a willing partner to engage.

"The fact is, Iran makes these series of statements day after day, week after week, but refuses to come to the table and actually negotiate in good faith," he added.

World powers suspect Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons under cover of its civilian energy program, a charge Tehran denies.

Enriched uranium can serve as fuel to power nuclear reactors or in highly refined form to produce the fissile core of an atom bomb.

Iran is at loggerheads with world powers for not accepting an IAEA-drafted deal that would supply it with nuclear fuel for a Tehran research reactor in return for the transfer of the bulk of its low-enriched uranium.


by Dan De Luce
(c) 2010 AFP