U.S. says to form coalition to penalize Iran if UN fails

The United States will form a coalition of countries to impose sanctions on Iran if the United Nations Security Council fails to take such measures on the country, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said at a Congress hearing on Tuesday.

"If we were faced with a veto by one of the permanent members, if for whatever reason the council couldn't fulfill its responsibilities, then I think it would be incumbent on us, and I'm sure we would press ahead to ask other countries or other groups of countries to impose those sanctions," Bolton said.

Nonetheless, the United States and its allies will first press for a Security Council resolution on Iran, Bolton said.

The United States has urged the Security Council to take actions on Iran under the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to compel Iran to change its behavior.

The United States, along with Britain and France, has been hoping for a UN resolution on Iran passed under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows for sanctions or even a military action.

However, Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, has been reluctant to see Iran under sanctions.

The United States has said it wants to pursue a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue, although it does not exclude the possibility of taking a military action against Iran.

Source: Xinhua