Sanctions possible if Iran remains defiant-UK's Straw

BERLIN, Mar 30 (Reuters) British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw today said that sanctions could follow if Iran remains defiant and refuses to halt its uranium enrichment programe as demanded by the UN Security Council.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the five permanent Council members and Germany, Straw said yesterday's non-legally-binding presidential statement had given Iran 30 days to freeze its uranium enrichment programme.

Asked if the Council might pass a legally binding resolution if Iran did not comply, Straw said, ''It can certainly include a resolution before the Security Council and the possibility of measures after that.'' Asked if such measures could include sanctions, Straw said: ''It could do.'' REUTERS SB RAI2003