U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said on Tuesday that Iran will face "meaningful consequences" if it tries to acquire a nuclear weapon.

"The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose meaningful consequences," Cheney said in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group.

Cheney said that the Iranian regime continues to defy the world with its nuclear ambitions and that the issue should go to the UN Security Council.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. However, Iran has said its nuclear programs are for civil purposes only.

The United States has insisted on referring Iran's nuclear issue to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.

Source: Xinhua