Annan Urges Caution on Bringing Iran to Security Council

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the Bush administration must think carefully before asking the Security Council to punish Iran for its nuclear activities.

In an interview with the USA Today newspaper published Monday, Mr. Annan said China and Russia might veto a push to sanction Iran, resulting in a deadlock. The U.N. chief said a deadlock on Iran could embolden North Korea and what he termed "future North Koreas." He added that any action or inaction on Iran would greatly affect efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

The United States and Britain have threatened to bring Iran before the Security Council if it resumes efforts to enrich uranium. Washington says the enriched material could be used to make a nuclear bomb. Tehran says it is working only on peaceful applications.