Israel is a target, Iran warns US

US diplomat predicts UN to allow sanctions; 3 new uranium deposits found.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
nicholas burns 298 ap (photo credit: AP)
nicholas burns 298 ap
(photo credit: AP)
"Israel will be the first target on our list if the United States launches an evil attack against us, "a top Iranian military commander threatened on Tuesday. When asked about Iran's ability to respond to American long-range heavy bomber aircraft, Rear Admiral Mohammad Ebrahim Dehqani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said, "We will definitely resist the US B-52." Meanwhile, the deputy chief for nuclear research and technology, Mohammad Ghannadi, said Iran had found at least three new uranium deposits in central Iran and was working toward mining them. "One is in Khoshoomi region in central Iran. Studies have already been made and samples have already been taken there. The other two are in Charchooleh and Narigan in central Iran," Ghannadi said. In other related news, a US diplomat leading six-nation talks on Iran's nuclear program predicted Tuesday that European governments would prepare a resolution for the UN Security Council that could allow for sanctions, and he insisted that diplomatic efforts were not dead. "I think what we will see unfold is that European governments will put forward following today's discussion some form of Chapter 7 resolution, and we'll discuss the form of it," US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said in Paris before the talks. A resolution under the UN Charter's Chapter 7 makes any demands mandatory and allows for the use of sanctions and possibly force. On Wednesday, Britain, France and Germany are expected to introduce the text of a new resolution on Iran activities before the UN Security Council. US officials want it to be under Chapter 7, and are keen for sanctions. French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said a Chapter 7 resolution was "one of the possibilities" for dealing with Iran. The six nations are meeting to discuss a report to the Security Council by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran's uranium enrichment activities. The report opened the way for the council to take punitive measures against Iran, but immediate action is not likely because Russia and China are opposed to sanctions.