The United States and the European Union said today they saw no point in holding further talks with Iran over its nuclear programs and it was time for the UN Security Council to tackle the issue.
Asked whether there was still room to negotiate with Tehran over its nuclear plans, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there was "not much to talk about" and the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, agreed.
"It does not make much sense to have another meeting if there is nothing new to put on the table," Solana said before meeting Rice at the State Department to discuss how to move ahead with Iran.
Yesterday, Iran sent a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying it wanted to continue having talks with the Europeans over its nuclear plans, but European and US officials were scornful of the offer.
Britain, France and Germany called off talks with Tehran after it removed UN seals on uranium enrichment equipment, deepening Western suspicions it is seeking nuclear arms. Iran insists it seeks only a peaceful energy program.
Rice said the European Union had made quite clear that Iran crossed an important "threshold" and it was important for the IAEA to act against Tehran.
"Iran must not be allowed to get a nuclear weapon. It must not be allowed to pursue activities that might lead to a nuclear weapon and on that we are fully united," Rice said.
Solana agreed the goal now was to get the IAEA to hold an extraordinary meeting to deal with Iran and refer the case to the Security Council, which could ultimately impose sanctions against Iran.
Asked whether the China and Russia supported the US and European stand against Iran, Rice said both countries had expressed "grave concern" over Tehran and the United States would continue to work closely with both sides.