The United States urged the United Nations today to speed up efforts to slap sanctions on Iran and tried to reassure Russia and China that Washington did not want sweeping economic restrictions against Tehran.
US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns reiterated the United States wanted a "graduated" approach to sanctions against Iran and stressed oil and gas would not be included in a first round of measures. "It will not include broad-scale economic sanctions.
These will be sanctions targeted on Iran's nuclear industry, on its conversion and enrichment programs and on its missile programs," Mr Burns told reporters. Negotiations are bogged down at the United Nations over a draft resolution drawn up by Britain, France and Germany and backed by Washington that demands nations prevent the sale or supply of equipment, technology or financing that would contribute to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs.
The West believes Iran's uranium enrichment work is a cover for making a bomb, while Tehran argues it is for civilian power purposes. Russia, backed by China, has submitted amendments cutting roughly half of the European draft and leaves nations to decide which items Iran can buy. "I do think we can work it out but it is time to accelerate the work at the UN," said Mr Burns. "It is time to get on with it."
The United Nations is considering the sanctions resolution after Iran failed to meet an August 31st UN deadline to give up its enrichment program or face punitive measures.
Mr Burns conceded there were "tactical" disagreements with Russia and China over Iran but said all sides agreed on the basic strategy that Iran must be punished.
"We need to define what are the appropriate sanctions and then how do you graduate pressure [against Iran]," he said.
Mr Burns said he spoke to Russian officials earlier this week and would talk to them again on Monday.
He also met China's foreign minister while on a visit to Beijing last week and made clear that getting action on Iran was "very important". The US Senate passed a bill yesterday that paved the way for a civilian nuclear deal between India and the United States, a move Mr Burns applauded.