WASHINGTON, Aug 1: The United States warned on Monday that it would take Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions if Tehran resumes sensitive nuclear work that can be a key step toward building an atomic bomb. “If they’re not going to abide by their agreement and obligations, then we would have to look to the Security Council,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan said of the possible resumption of uranium enrichment by Iran.

Iran handed over a letter on Sunday to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that formally notified the UN watchdog of the imminent resumption of uranium ore conversion _ the precursor to enrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle. The move, which jeopardized months of tortuous talks with Britain, France and Germany, immediately aroused expressions of grave concern from the international community.

Iran complained that Europe has dallied too long in coming up with concrete proposals for a nuclear cooperation deal, adding that it had reason to believe that the eventual offer would be ‘totally unacceptable’.

“Iran made an agreement, the Paris Agreement. They agreed to abide by the Paris Agreement which called for Iran to suspend their uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities while the negotiations were ongoing,” Mr McClellan said.

“The Europeans, along with the United States, believe that Iran should adhere to the Paris Agreement and continue to work with the Europeans to resolve this issue,” he said. “We’ve made clear that if Iran’s going to violate its agreement and restart uranium reprocessing enrichment activities, then we would have to look to the next step, and we would be talking with our European friends about that next step,” Mr McClellan said.

His comments came hours after US President George Bush appointed John Bolton — who has taken a hard line on Iran’s nuclear programs — to be the US ambassador to the UN.

A delegation of US lawmakers who were visiting the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, said that Iran’s move raises concerns about its intentions.

“There is no reason why they should not have waited just one more week for the EU proposal. This certainly raises serious concerns about Iran’s intention,” said Congressman Peter King.

The IAEA also urged Iran not to resume its nuclear work.

“I call on Iran to continue the negotiation process with the E3/EU and not to take any action that might prejudice the process at this critical stage,” IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei said in a statement.—Reuters