UN has very strong case for new Iran sanctions: Rice

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.N. has a "very strong case" for imposing more sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

Rice was of the view a new report saying Tehran has failed to fully cooperate with U.N. atomic investigators is good reason for the Security Council to consider a third round of sanctions. The report said that Iran also failed to answer key questions about its nuclear past.

Rice said that the U.S. wants quick action to punish Iran in light of the findings of the report.

Rice said this before senior diplomats from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany meet in Washington to discuss a new resolution. All have agreed on a draft.

The U.N. body has demanded that Iran freeze its enrichment program, which can generate both nuclear fuel and the fissile core of warheads. Iran claims its program is peaceful.