Obama says US, allies discussing Iran sanctions

[unhappycamper]

Obama says US, allies discussing Iran sanctions
By CHARLES HUTZLER
Associated Press Writer
Nov 19, 6:46 AM EST

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Showing impatience with Iranian foot-dragging, President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies are discussing possible new penalties to bring fresh pressure on Iran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear program.

Obama's warning came after Iran rejected a compromise proposal to ship its low-enriched uranium abroad so that it could not be further enriched to make weapons. Talk of fresh sanctions also showed that Obama is preparing for the next phase should Iran fail to meet his year-end deadline for progress in negotiations.

"They have been unable to get to `yes', and so as a consequence, we have begun discussions with our international partners about the importance of having consequences," Obama said at a news conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

"Our expectation is, is that over the next several weeks we will be developing a package of potential steps that we could take that will indicate our seriousness to Iran."

The tough talk came as Obama wrapped an eight-day, four-nation tour of Asia in which global issues - nuclear disarmament, climate change, economic recovery - dominated and goodwill abounded. There also were few new agreements on pending issues.


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