Rubio urges Europe to prepare for Iran sanctions

The United States is seeking a diplomatic solution with Iran but will not tolerate Tehran developing a nuclear weapon, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on April 18, warning Europe to be ready to reimpose sanctions if Iran edges closer to nuclear capability.

Speaking in Paris following meetings with European officials, Rubio said the international community should brace for an upcoming report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which he believes will show Iran is approaching a critical threshold, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“The Europeans have a decision to make, because I believe we should all anticipate that they're about to get a report from the IAEA that says not just Iran is out of compliance, but Iran is dangerously close to a weapon, closer than they've ever been,” Rubio said.

Rubio stressed the need for any future agreement with Tehran to provide lasting safeguards, rejecting deals with limited timeframes.

“It has to be something that not just prevents Iran from having a nuclear weapon now,” he said. “But in the future as well, not just for ten years with some sort of sunset provision or the like.”

The US administration, Rubio added, remains committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution.

By Aghakazim Guliyev