Rice: Iran obliged to respect sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (UPI) -- Tehran may address concerns regarding its nuclear activity or face further isolation, the U.S. envoy to the United Nations told a sanctions committee.

The U.N. Security Council met to discuss reported violations of sanctions issued against Iran as punishment for its controversial nuclear work.

Yukio Takasu, the Japanese chairman of the committee, said the Security Council was investigating several claims of violations of sanctions, including the disposal of arms-related material on an Indian vessel and nuclear items reportedly found on a German cargo ship.

Takasu said sanctions against Iran passed June 9 in the Security Council "clarified" the responsibilities of member states to seize and dispose of items banned for Iran.

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to sign unilateral sanctions on Iran before the weekend.

Iran is accused of developing technology that could be used for a nuclear weapon. Tehran maintains its intentions are peaceful, however.

Susan Rice, the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, told the committee the sanctions send a "strong message" to Iran regarding its nuclear work.

Washington, she said, respects Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear power "but said (Tehran) was obliged to ensure the world of the peaceful nature of its nuclear intentions," the committee briefing recounted.