Blair feels upset over Iran's nuclear intentions

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday that Iran's decision to resume nuclear activities caused "real and serious" alarm across the world and added it was time to reconsider whether the country should be referred to the U.N. Security Council.

Iran broke U.N. seals on its nuclear enrichment facility Tuesday, prompting alarm from several Western countries who fear the clerical regime is intent on developing a nuclear bomb.

"The decision by Iran is very serious indeed," Blair told the House of Commons. "I do not think there is any point in people, or us, hiding our deep dismay at what Iran has decided to do."

Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany, who have spent two years trying to persuade Iran to halt its uranium conversion and enrichment activities, meet in Berlin on Thursday to consider what steps to take.

Blair said it was important to consider whether Tehran should be referred to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions. He pointed out that the International Atomic Energy Agency had previously suggested a referral, but suspended doing so because Iran had agreed to halt its nuclear activities.

"Obviously we don't rule out any measures at all," Blair said, when asked about possible sanctions. "It's important Iran recognises how seriously the international community treats it."

Iran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful civilian purposes and says it only intends to conduct research, the AP reports.

V.Y.