Iran enrichment moves spur sanctions calls

PARIS, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Iran's move to proceed with the enrichment of its nuclear fuel resulted in new calls for sanctions Monday from the United States, France and Russia.

Iran reportedly indicated to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna Monday that it plans to begin enriching its uranium stockpile to 20 percent purity. Tehran claims the fuel is for a medical research reactor but the United States and others suspect it is meant for a nuclear weapon.

The West says Tehran has backed away from U.N. offers to have its uranium enriched abroad at levels sufficient for medical research but not for a bomb, but Iran says its counteroffers are being dismissed.

"The only path that is left to us at this point, it seems to me, is that pressure track," U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at a news conference in Paris Monday, The New York Times reported. "But it will require all of the international community to work together."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner added, "The only thing we can do, alas, is apply sanctions given that negotiations are impossible."