U.S. warns Iran of 'consequences' over nuclear program

       The White House on Friday joined European Union leaders in warning Iran that it will face consequences if it does not bring its nuclear program into United Nations compliance. In a statement, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs also said the United States remained deeply concerned about the "deteriorating human rights situation" in the Islamic Republic. European Union leaders earlier said Iran had failed to meet its international obligations over its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon despite Tehran's denials. EU leaders said they would consider options for responding at their next meeting in Brussels on Jan. 21. Gibbs said the United States echoed the "grave concerns" expressed by European leaders and that Washington remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution. "However, if Iran continues to fail to bring its nuclear program into full compliance with the requirements of the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA, there will be consequences and we will be consulting closely with our partners to ensure those consequences are credible," the spokesman said. "We will continue to assess Iran's responses, and together with our partners will take appropriate measures in keeping with our common approach to the Iranian nuclear program." He was referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog. Gibbs expressed concern about the human rights situation in Iran a day after Amnesty International reported that human rights violations in Iran are as bad as at any time in the past 20 years. "We continue to call on the Iranian government to end the use of violence and persecution against those who seek to peacefully exercise universal rights, and to abide by its international obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights," he said. A statement approved by the 27 EU leaders at a summit in Brussels warned that, "Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response. "The European Union stands ready to take the necessary steps," it said, ordering EU foreign ministers to prepare these steps, without elaborating on whether that would mean separate EU sanctions or support for new UN sanctions. Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, said in Brussels on Friday that, "Now if there is no response from Iran...we have always said in Britain that we are prepared to consider sanctions and that is what we are prepared to do in the new year if we don't have satisfactory responses." French President Nicolas Sarkozy joined in, saying he was reassured by what he called growing support at the United Nations for new punishment against Iran. The United States, Britain and France warned Thursday that Iran risks increased sanctions. But Russia - which as a permanent member of the UN Security Council could veto any new measures - reiterated its resistance to sanctions. (00,00)