Six powers to discuss sanctions against Iran in Washington
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The six major powers working to resolve the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program will discuss a draft UN sanctions text September 21 in Washington, the State Department said Wednesday.
The meeting will be held at the level of foreign ministry policy coordinators, said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Nicholas Burns, the department's number three official, "is going to be hosting next week here in Washington a political directors' meeting of the P5+1 and I expect the meeting will be centered largely on discussions of what sanctions would be in the next resolution."
The meeting will include the permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France -- plus Germany.
"We are confident that we are going to be able to move forward, get a new Security Council resolution that includes new sanctions," McCormack said.
Iran meanwhile warned that its current policy of increased cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog would be "in danger" if a third set of UN sanctions were imposed.
"We have taken a very important step, and if there is an illogical step then we will reconsider this strategy," Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told reporters in Tehran.
Iran is currently answering outstanding questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over its contested nuclear program, which the United States claims is aimed at making nuclear weapons.
Iran vehemently denies allegations it is seeking an atomic weapon, saying its nuclear drive is aimed at providing electricity for a growing population whose fossil fuels will one day run out.
