US-allies plan more sanctions against Iran

PYONGYANG - The United States and its allies have planned new sanctions against Iran with an intention to force that country into suspending its production of nuclear fuel, according to US President Barack Obama’s chief nuclear adviser.

According to the New York Times, Gary Samore made his comments three days after talks with Iranian officials adjourned with no progress in Geneva. The talks, held this week in Geneva, were the first in a year, and are supposed to be followed by more meetings next month, probably in Turkey.

According to Samore, Iran might have decided to resume the talks with members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany “because it believes it can manipulate the appearance of negotiations to weaken existing sanctions and avoid additional measures. This ploy will not work.”

“In the wake of the Geneva talks, we and our allies are determined to maintain and even increase pressure. We need to send the message to Iran that sanctions will only increase if Iran avoids serious negotiations and will not be lifted until our concerns are fully addressed,” he added.

The current sanctions, which were earlier imposed by the UN Security Council and countries including the United States, some European nations, Japan and Australia, are making it difficult for Iranian businesses and the government to conduct banking operations around the world, to get insurance for shipping lines and to refuel airliners at some airports in Europe, the paper said.

In recent weeks, Samore has been saying that in case Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, it could lead to proliferation in the Middle East and undermine Obama’s efforts to convince the world to reduce nuclear stockpiles. (ANI)