US to target dual-use items in first Iran sanctions

WASHINGTON, Sep 19 (Reuters) The first sanctions to be imposed on Iran if it fails to suspend its nuclear program would aim to curb its access to civilian technologies that might help it build atomic weapons, a top US official said today.

''We believe ... those sanctions in their first phase -- and there may be multiple phases of graduated sanctions on Iran -- should be focused on their leadership and should be focused on their nuclear program and should be designed to curtail the kind of dual-use exports that we believe make it possible for the Iranians to conduct nuclear research,'' Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told lawmakers.

Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Burns said he believed there was consensus among the UN Security Council's five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and Germany to start with such sanctions.

Iran says its nuclear work is to generate power while the United States and its allies say Tehran is trying to build a bomb.

Burns, who has been the U.S. point man in negotiating with allies over how and when to seek sanctions against Iran, said the United States could move quickly if Tehran refuses to suspend its nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities as demanded by the Security Council.

''We can't wait forever and there is a very short timeline here,'' Burns said.

REUTERS DKA PM2016