By DPA,
Washington : The US has welcomed China’s decision to join discussions at the UN about enacting sanctions on Iran for its refusal to alleviate international concerns about its nuclear activities.
“Its a very important step,” said Bill Burton, a White House spokesman, Thursday.
“The President feels that weve been able to unite the global community in a way that it hasnt been united before in putting pressure on Iran and halting their drive towards nuclear weapons,” he said.
President Barack Obama hopes the UN Security Council will enact new sanctions on Iran this spring, saying Tuesday he is not willing to wait months.
Of the five permanent members of the Security Council, China has been the most reluctant to back new sanctions, mainly because of its close economic ties to Iran.
The US and its allies suspect Iran is using a civilian nuclear programme as a guise toward acquiring nuclear weapons. Tehran rejects the charge.