Iran has resumed nuclear-fuel research, causing serious concerns in the international community. On Monday, representatives from three European nations -- Britain, France and Germany -- as well as the United States, Russia and China met in London to discuss the matter. With the European Union and the U.S. calling for an emergency board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the possibility is growing that Iran might be referred to the U.N. Security Council -- a move that could lead to economic sanctions.
Iran says it has no intention of using nuclear technology for military purposes, but as long as it insists on establishing its own nuclear-fuel cycle, suspicions about its ambitions will persist. Iran should respond positively to such doubts and immediately halt activities leading to uranium enrichment in order to build international confidence in the Iranian government.
Analysts suspect that Tehran's tough stance may be motivated by a diplomatic strategy of conducting nuclear negotiations in its favor with oil as the bargaining chip. Such a game of brinkmanship, however, won't work. The international community should press for a diplomatic solution -- not economic sanctions -- by applying greater pressure on the Iranians through coordinated action.