British prime minister Gordon Brown has called for tougher sanctions against Iran, specifically targeting investments in Tehran's liquefied natural gas. "In the next few weeks, we want to extend the measures and sanctions to include investment in liquefied natural gas. I believe that sends another signal to the regime that what is happening is unacceptable," Brown said, after meeting with US president George W. Bush in Washington. Iran was one of the major issues of discussions during the British prime minister's US visit
"I make no apology for saying that we will extend sanctions, where possible, on Iran. Iran is in breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has not told the truth to the international community about what its plans are," Brown said at a joint press conference with Bush after their talks. He added: "I'm talking to other European leaders about how we can extend European sanctions against Iran over the next period of time, and to ensure that what sanctions are taken are effectively implemented," he said. Brown said the UK and the US would work with other partners, including Russia and China, to make sure that Iran recognizes that it could not ignore the international community and its obligations with impunity.
President Bush called it "naive" to believe that it was impossible for Iran to eventually transfer nuclear enrichment capabilities from energy development to nuclear bomb production. Bush rejected Iran's argument that its nuclear activities were intended only for civilian use.
Read about the WJC's campaign to Stop the Iranian Threat
