UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador John Bolton pledges to push for sanctions against Iran amid a U.N. report that Iran has missed its deadline to halt uranium enrichment.
In his remarks to reporters Thursday following release of an International Atomic Energy Agency's report, Bolton said he was not troubled by the threat of a Chinese or Russian veto of a possible sanctions resolution.
Bolton said foreign ministers from both countries had taken the position during a July 12 meeting in Paris that Iran's refusal to cooperate with the IAEA would be met with sanctions.
The United States and European countries suspect Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Bolton also said the United States would push for a resolution, even if it is not assured unanimity.
"We do not need unanimity," he said, noting just a few hours earlier the U.N. Security Council had voted to mandate a U.N. peacekeeping force for Sudan's Darfur region, despite China, Qatar and Russia abstaining.
On Iran, high-level officials from China, France and Russia -- all countries with veto-wielding permanent seats on the Security Council -- have expressed reticence in imposing sanctions.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Aug. 25 it was premature to consider punitive actions against Iran, since the issue was not "so urgent."
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy called for a diplomatic solution.
"I deplore Iran's unsatisfactory response to the ambitious negotiation proposals," he said, referring to Iran's rejection of an incentives package. "I nonetheless remain convinced that priority must still be given to the path of dialogue."
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, and Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, are expected to meet Wednesday.
A Security Council resolution is not expected before the meeting takes place.
