British PM hints more pressure ahead for Iran

The British prime minister says the international community could step up sanctions against Iran if the West fails to halt Tehran's nuclear program through talks.

“If there is no further progress immediately then I believe the world will have to look at stepping up sanctions against Iran as a matter of priority,” Reuters quoted Gordon Brown as saying at a news conference in London with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.

Israel, which is the only player in the Middle East that possesses a nuclear arsenal, hypocritically accuses Iran of attempting to develop a nuclear weapons program. However, Iran insists that its nuclear program is totally peaceful.

Asked about the prospects of Iran producing a nuclear weapon, Netanyahu said, “Time is running out, it is late in the day, but it is not too late.”

In the 5+1 group talks on September 2, the US, Britain, France, and Germany are expected to urge Russia and China to consider a fourth round of UN sanctions, if talks on Iran's nuclear program fail. More

Peres: Russia pledges review of air defence sale to Iran

President Dmitry Medvedev has promised to review Russia's controversial planned sale of its sophisticated S-300 air defence system to Iran, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Wednesday.

"President Medvedev promised to review this issue once again after I explained that it would have an impact on the balance of force in our region," Peres said a day after he held talks with the Russian leader.

The contract for the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems is reported to have been signed back in 2005 but has proved hugely controversial as the weapons would significantly upgrade Iranian air defence capabilities. More

'No one dares to attack a nuclear facility'

Israel says UN covering up Iran's nuclear arms drive