IAEA report to echo US concerns about Iran: White House

Washington, Nov 7: Noting that it expects the forthcoming report of the global atomic watchdog IAEA to echo its concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme, the US on Monday said while it is focused on diplomacy, it hasn't ruled out any option.

"We certainly expect it to echo and reinforce what we've been saying about Iran's behavior and its failure to live up to its international obligations. And it will, I'm sure, echo our concern about Iran's nuclear programme," said Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary.

He told reporters at a news conference that because of the leadership of President Barack Obama, the US has mobilized the international community in a way that has never existed before to take action to pressure Iran and to isolate Iran.

"We now have in place the most aggressive, isolating and debilitating sanctions regime ever, and that regime has had an impact, as the Iranian president himself recently noted," he said.

When asked if military option is still on the table, Carney said the Obama Administration still continues to focus on a diplomatic channel.

"We are focused on diplomacy. We, of course, never remove from the table any option in a situation like this," Carney said.

He said it is because of the kind of consensus that the US has achieved at the international level among its partners and allies in dealing with Iran that "we're able to continue to isolate and put pressure on Iran and to insist that Iran get right with the world and live up to its international obligations."

PTI