|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 20 January 2005 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
US warns Iran over missiles, punishes Chinese firms WASHINGTON, Wednesday (Reuters) The Bush administration expressed concern about Iran's pursuit of longer-range ballistic missiles and imposed U.S. economic penalties against Chinese companies it accused of helping Tehran in those efforts. The penalties against the companies - which the Chinese government denounced as unjustified - were part of a broader campaign by the Bush administration to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Iran denies its nuclear facilities are to be used to make weapons. "I hope we can solve it diplomatically. But I will never take any option off the table," President George W. Bush told NBC television in an interview when asked about the potential for military action against Iran. Bush told Fox News that Beijing has heard U.S. concerns "loud and clear." "We're gathering all the facts we possibly can. We'll make it clear - not only to China but elsewhere - that we'll hold you to account," he said. "That's why we're dealing with the Chinese firms and that's why we're mindful of making sure the proliferation efforts are stopped at their source," Bush said. Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice said the administration may refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council to face possible international sanctions over its nuclear program if a "satisfactory understanding" is not reached. "Nobody is saying that there have to be sanctions right away or anything of the sort. What we are saying is that Iran has to be held to account for its international obligations," Rice told lawmakers at her Senate confirmation hearing. U.S. officials say the exports to Iran included high-performance metals, the New York Times said. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush will work with European allies "to find a diplomatic resolution to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons." "We have a number of concerns about Iran, including their pursuit of nuclear weapons and their interest in longer-range ballistic missiles, and we've expressed those concerns," McClellan said. China on Tuesday said it stands opposed to any spread of weapons of mass destruction. "The U.S. government has wantonly launched sanctions against Chinese companies without any evidence," Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a news briefing in Beijing. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
