France, Germany and Britain have warned Iran that it will answer to the United Nations Security Council if it resumes uranium enrichment activities that the United States says could produce fuel for nuclear bombs. In a letter, foreign ministers from the three countries told top Iranian negotiator Hassan Rowhani that they will break off months of bilateral talks aimed at ending disputes over the nature of Iran's nuclear program. The matter would then be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions.
The White House on Thursday voiced strong support for the European warning, after months of accusations that Iran is secretly attempting to develop a nuclear bomb. Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge. In Tehran, Mr. Rowhani is quoted (by the Iranian Student News Agency) as saying Iran will no longer respect the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if it is denied the right to develop a full civilian nuclear energy program.