Bolton Says Coalition Could Impose Sanctions On Tehran

John Bolton (file photo) (epa)

UNITED NATIONS, August 28, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said today Washington reserves its right to impose unilateral sanctions with a coalition of allies on Iran for its refusal to comply with UN demands to stop its uranium-enrichment activities.

"You can envision sanctions being imposed outside of the [UN] Security Council, as the United States has unilaterally imposed sanctions on Iran pursuant to its own statutes and other governments can do the same," he said. "So, the question what to do about Iran is certainly not confined to the Security Council."

The remark follows an interview with Bolton published in the U.S. daily "Los Angeles Times" where he discusses the possibility for the U.S. government alone or in coalition with other governments of imposing sanctions on Iran if a mandatory nuclear suspension resolution does not pass through the Security Council.

The United States has maintained restrictions on almost all trade with Iran since 1987.

(with Reuters)