UNÂ’s Ban worried about IranÂ’s nuclear progress

ROME, ITALY - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is worried about Iran's nuclear program but hopes a stand-off with the international community can be resolved through dialogue, he said in comments published in Italy.

The West believes Iran is seeking to build an atomic bomb while Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. It recently appointed a new negotiator widely seen as taking a tough line in international talks intended to head off an intensification of existing U.N. sanctions against Iran.

Asked whether he was concerned about Iran's nuclear program, he told the newspaper La Stampa: "Yes, I'm very worried about Iran's nuclear progress.

"I hope that, even with the change in negotiators, things can move forward; it is important to continue negotiating with Iran."

Ban said he had met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad briefly during the recent U.N. General Assembly, and was prepared to meet him privately if necessary.

"I have said with great urgency on many occasions that the differences can be resolved through peace, through dialogue; a war or military action is not desirable in any way," Ban said.

The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran, partly over its nuclear program, and has refused to rule out military action.

Political directors from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and Germany are expected to meet in Europe to discuss imposing a third round of U.N. sanctions.

Related News

ottawa power lines

Lack of energy: Ottawa’s electricity consumption drops 10 per cent during pandemic

OTTAWA - Ottawa residents may be spending more time at home, but the city’s energy use has dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hydro Ottawa says there was a 10-to-11 per cent drop in electricity consumption in April, with the biggest decline in electricity usage happening early in the morning.

Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa show average hourly energy consumption in the City of Ottawa dropped 11 per cent during weekdays, and a 10 per cent decline in electricity consumption on weekends.

The drop in energy consumption came as many businesses in Ottawa closed their doors due to the COVID-19 measures and physical…

READ MORE
washington-state-ferries-hybrid-electric-upgrade

Washington State Ferries' Hybrid-Electric Upgrade

READ MORE

Sierra Club

Sierra Club: Governor Abbott's Demands Would Leave Texas More Polluted and Texans in the Dark

READ MORE

wind power

Germany’s renewable energy dreams derailed by cheap Russian gas, electricity grid expansion woes

READ MORE

british carbon tax

British carbon tax leads to 93% drop in coal-fired electricity

READ MORE