Gregory Schulte confirmed that the US seeks to secure
diplomatic solutions to nonproliferation challenges, and
in this regard, he explained its policy on the Iranian
nuclear issue. He additionally discussed Iran’s refusal
to answer IAEA’s questions and turn over the required
documents relating to the uranium enrichment, or
provide access to individuals involved with its nuclear
program.
He also discussed Iran’s failure to explain the apparent
relationship of its uranium program to high explosives
testing and the design of a missile re-entry vehicle,
quoting IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei’s
statement that, even after three years of intensive efforts,
the IAEA is unable to certify the peaceful nature of
Iran’s program. He reviewed the United States’ concerns
about the nuclear efforts, adding that Iran’s consistent
failure to meet international commitments means that
the time has now come for international diplomacy to
be backed by international sanctions because they are an
integral part of diplomacy provided that diplomacy, to
be successful, must be resolute, sustained, and backed by
a full range of international measures.