US slams Iran arms sales
Nicholas Burns has accused Russia and China of aiding and abetting Iran
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Friday, 26, Oct 2007 09:44
A senior US diplomat has accused Russia and China of helping Iran's military, as new sanctions targeting the country are imposed.
US assistant secretary of state Nicholas Burns told the BBC Russia and China were jeopardising attempts to persuade Tehran to pursue peaceful diplomacy.
"They're now the number one trade partner with Iran. It's very difficult for countries to say we're striking out on our own when they've got their own policies on the military side, aiding and abetting the Iranian government in strengthening its own military," Mr Burns commented.
However, he stressed the sanctions - announced by secretary of state Condoleeza Rice yesterday as part of a "comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behaviour of the Iranians" - were necessary to illustrate US resolve.
"We want to be at the negotiating table, we want a peaceful resolution of this dispute. But to reinforce diplomacy, sometimes it has to have a tough side to it," he said.
Tehran has responded angrily to the sanctions, with the Iranian foreign ministry saying they are doomed to failure.
Foreign companies will be dissuaded from dealing with Iran's Revolutionary Guards - accused of supplying and training insurgents - under the new sanctions, while executive order 13382 permits US authorities to freeze the assets of any American citizen or organisation doing business with the alleged "proliferator of weapons of mass destruction".
Three state-owned banks, several companies owned by the guards and the Iranian ministry of defence are also included within the terms of the sanctions.
A spokesperson at the Foreign Office said the UK backed Washington's latest move, commenting: "We endorse the US administration's efforts to apply further pressure on the Iranian regime.
"As the prime minister said [earlier this month] we are prepared to lead the way to a third resolution on sanctions and at the same time support tougher EU sanctions."