LONDON: Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Thursday his country will press for a new set of United Nations sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
"We will now press for a further sanctions resolution," Miliband wrote in a UK-based newspaper. "We cannot be afraid of diplomacy with teeth. The alternatives are all worse."
He added: "There will remain a lack of trust until Iran resolves issues about past activities and suspends its enrichment programme." Miliband insisted the West was not trying to implement regime change in Iran, deny the country nuclear power, or restrict its influence in the region, writing that if Iran’s policy "rests on a perception that our aims are hostile, then I want all Iranians to know this is wrong."He said, though, "Iran needs to see the resolve and unity of the international community." "Iran has the potential to be one of the world’s great nations. It enjoys enormous advantages. Its people should be reaping the benefit of these to the full, not seeing their country treated as an international exile. There is a clear choice facing the Iranian leadership … I hope they have the foresight and inspiration to make the right one for their people, who deserve no less."