Britain's new Foreign Secretary Dtriggering vid Miliband has warned Iran that the British government would maintain a tough stance on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, The Financial Times reported Monday.
In his first interview since becoming foreign secretary 10 days ago, Miliband told the paper that Iran "has every right to be secure, rich country" but "doesn't have the right to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East" and "the right to undermine the stability of its neighbors".
He said the West was making a "very clear offer" that would allow Iran to develop the civil nuclear power it needed.
In the first sign that Gordon Brown's new government will not soften Britain's policy on Iran, Miliband said Britain would press ahead with a third United Nations resolution to impose tougher sanctions on Iran, if necessary.
"We are ready to work with our partners on a third resolution," he said. "We think it is very, very important that the international community remains clear and united on this issue."
Despite that Jack Straw, one of Miliband's predecessors, regarded military actions against Iran as "inconceivable" two years ago, Miliband did not make direct comment on possible military actions.
"I think that the whole of the international community wants a non-military, diplomatic solution to this problem," he said. "I don't think it does any good to speculate any wider than that."
Iran, branded by the United States as one of the "state sponsors of terrorism," has been under UN sanctions for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, which produces nuclear reactor fuel but can also be used as material for an atom bomb.
Tehran rejects U.S. allegations, and insists its nuclear program is solely aimed at generating power to meet its energy needs.
