Iranian nukes

TEHRAN, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Iran could be slapped with additional sanctions as the international community tries to convince Tehran to rein in its nuclear ambitions.

Iranian leaders consistently say their nuclear program has peaceful aims but other countries fear the true end point is for the Islamic Republic to become a nuclear weapons power.

A series of economic sanctions have been levied by the United Nations on Iran but such steps have only strengthened Iranian resolve. The International Atomic Energy Agency rebuked Tehran Nov. 27 for refusing to be forthcoming with information about its nuclear program and the Iranian leaders' answer was a promise to increase its uranium enrichment sites.

This week officials from France, the United Kingdom and the United States have said, in the words of French Ambassador to the United Nations Gerard Araud, "The time has come to increase the pressure."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, speaking Friday to U.S. troops in northern Iraq, said "significant sanctions" were being considered.

Talks at the United Nations on any additional sanctions won't take place before the end of the year.