US mulls new sanctions on Iran as year ends
The Obama administration seemed more firmly set on pushing for fresh UN sanctions against Iran as Iranian leaders balk at a year-end deadline to engage world powers on their nuclear plans.
However, with a UN diplomatic source in New York saying preliminary work on drafting a sanctions resolution is likely to begin in mid-January, President Barack Obama's team is keeping its options open.
"Even as we leave the door open to engagement," world powers agree that Iran will pay the consequences if it does not meet its international nuclear obligations, said Darby Holladay, a State Department spokesman.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Russia, China, France, and Britain -- plus Germany are "in the process of considering next steps consistent with our dual-track policy," he told AFP.
A senior State Department official told AFP on the condition of anonymity that the Obama administration was "pivoting" toward imposing more sanctions against Iran while keeping "the door open to engagement."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said two weeks ago that Iran had failed to build confidence.
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