Despite overtures to talks, the U.S. is pressuring Europe to punish Iran for what the U.S. believes are its renewed attempts to fabricate nuclear weapons, according to news reports.
The U.S. has long been suspicious of Iran, both for nuclear proliferation and for supporting international terrorism. The U.S. has turned to the UK, France and Germany for support, and to in turn pressure the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to be tougher on Iran for its violation of nuclear treaties.
Iran announced it would stop creating enriched uranium last year under pressure from the IAEA and the three European states, but its on-again, off-again relationship with the IAEA has raised doubts about its commitment to such agreements.
Iran claims it has always used the refined uranium for fuel production.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations recommended in a report that the U.S. initiate a relationship with Iran, claiming that would be the best way to prevent a nuclear confrontation. Furthermore, senior U.S. sources say the two countries have common interests, including the security of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Israel announced this week that it believes Iran would have nuclear capability by 2007.