HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Iran could face tougher sanctions – Gordon Brown [February 2010]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 February 2010.

The Prime Minister has warned that Iran will face tougher sanctions if it moves ahead with a nuclear weapons programme.

Major rallies are taking place in Tehran today on the 31st anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

Speaking from Brussels, Gordon Brown said now is a critical time for the country’s relationships with the rest of the world and its own people.

He said he would like to see dialogue with Iran, but “the patience of our countries is not inexhaustible”.

“I think the choices could not be clearer. Iran can either pursue a civilian nuclear programme, respect human rights and earn the trust and respect of the international community, or it can move ahead with its nuclear weapons programme, trample on human rights and be isolated and ostracized on the wrong side of history, outside the international community.”

Mr Brown said the UK is stepping up discussions with other countries about sanctions that could be imposed on Iran.

The Prime Minister was among EU leaders who attended a one-day informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels – the first held under the presidency of Herman Van Rompuy.

Climate change and jobs and growth were on the agenda at the meeting. Earlier, EU leaders from countries using the Euro had also met to discuss the economic situation in Greece.

Commenting on the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said:

“We welcome the progress made today and Greece’s commitment to take action to stabilise its economy. We also welcome the euro area Member States’ commitment to ‘take determined and coordinated action to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole’.”