Obama aims to beef up Iran sanctions
19/11/2009 - 08:08:04President Barack Obama said the United States has begun talking with allies about fresh punishment against Iran for defying efforts to halt its nuclear weapons pursuits.
Mr Obama’s tough talk came as Iran indicated it would not ship its low-enriched uranium to Russia for processing, the centrepiece of deal aimed at a peaceful resolution to Iran’s contested nuclear program.
“They have been unable to get to yes, and so as a consequence, we have begun discussions with our international partners about the importance of having consequences,” Mr Obama said in a brief news conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
Mr Obama gave no specifics about the nature of any new sanctions, which would require commitments of international support.
On North Korea, both Mr Obama and Mr Lee signalled impatience and declared fresh, united steps in getting that nation to give up its own nuclear weapons.
Mr Lee said Mr Obama had rallied behind his idea for a one-time “grand bargain” with North Korea of aid and concessions in exchange for denuclearisation, rather than the stalled step-by-step process.
And Mr Obama said his envoy would travel to the communist country early next month for the first bilateral talks with the regime since he took office.
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