KIRKUK, Iraq — US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday that he expects "significant" new sanctions" to be imposed on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
"I think that you are going to see some significant additional sanctions imposed by the international community, assuming that the Iranians don't change course and agree to do the things they agreed to at the beginning of October," Gates told a group of US soldiers in Kirkuk, Iraq.
Gates arrived in Iraq on a suprise visit on Thursday, following a trip to Afghanistan where Washington is ramping up its military commitment.
He was speaking as European leaders were preparing to warn Iran that its failure to respect international obligations and refusal to negotiate over its nuclear programme must be met with a tough response.
In a draft statement at a summit in Brussels, the leaders of the 27 European Union Nations announce their readiness to back sanctions at the UN Security Council, where the United States, Britain and France are pushing for fresh measures.
"Iran's persistent failure to meet its international obligations and Iran's apparent lack of interest in pursuing negotiations require a clear response, including through appropriate measures," the draft document said.
"Consistent with the dual-track approach, the European Union would support action by the UNSC (Security Council) if Iran continues not to cooperate with the international community over its nuclear programme."
Western governments suspect the Islamic republic is developing technology to enrich uranium to highly-refined levels to covertly develop a nuclear bomb.
Iran says it wants to develop a civil energy programme and has rejected attempts to force it to stop enrichment or farm out enrichment work abroad to fuel a research reactor in Tehran, in a plan pushed by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Should the United Nations move towards punitive action against Iran, the draft statement said, "the European Union stands ready to take the necessary steps to accompany this UNSC process."
