The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates calls for a United Nations security council resolution “within weeks” as Iran steps up its nuclear ambitions.
Iran has confirmed it is now making a making nuclear fuel to a higher grade than ever before but claims the resulting isotopes will be used to treat cancer patients.
Iran was recently offered a deal to swap most of its low-enriched uranium with major nuclear powers in return for the type of fuel it is now producing, but that deal fell apart.
The nuclear powers have held talks on their next move and how the possible form of fourth set of UN sanctions.
In a television interview, Mr Gates said: “I think it is going to take some period of time, I would say weeks not months, to see if we can’t get another UN security council resolution.”
Intelligence suggests Iran now has enough low-enriched uranium to produce one or two bombs but it is unlikely to develop the means to put the material into a missile until 2013.
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