Britain Signals Possible Snapback of Sanctions Over Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Britain has warned it may trigger U.N. sanctions on Iran if necessary to prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons. The U.N. Security Council convened amidst concerns over Iran's uranium enrichment close to weapons-grade levels. Western nations assert there's no peaceful need for such enrichment levels.

Britain issued a stark warning on Wednesday, signaling its willingness to reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran if efforts to prevent the nation from acquiring a nuclear weapon prove necessary. The urgency comes as the United Nations Security Council convened to evaluate Tehran's significant expansion of its uranium stockpile, nearing weapons-grade purity.

Despite Iran's claims of peaceful intentions, the International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that the country is enriching uranium to levels dangerously close to those required for nuclear weapons. Western countries argue that there is no civilian justification for such high enrichment levels, with no other nation undertaking such measures without pursuing nuclear arms.

As diplomatic efforts continue, Britain's deputy U.N. Ambassador, James Kariuki, emphasized the possibility of employing sanctions through 'snapback' mechanisms. Meanwhile, Iran contends that the U.S. is leveraging the Security Council to intensify economic pressure, an accusation the U.S. dismissed by highlighting Iran's alleged defiance of international nuclear obligations.

(With inputs from agencies.)