G20: Iran's nuclear program watched by superpowersSeptember 26, 2009 - 15:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to consider additional sanctions on Iran if it failed to respond to Western proposals.Mr. Obama demanded Iran "come clean" about its nuclear program and said the unity of the global community should put the Islamic Republic "on notice" that it must heed international rules. There is "unity on the part of the world community saying that Iran's actions raised grave doubts in terms of their presentation that their nuclear program was for peaceful purposes," Obama said at a news conference concluding a summit of the Group of 20 nations in Pittsburgh. "Sanctions, serious additional sanctions, remain a possibility," he said, calling on Tehran to "seize the opportunity" of negotiations with the six powers (Germany, China and the U.S., France, Britain and Russia) on the Iranian nuclear case. Mr. Medvedev, who has expressed public doubts about the value of sanctions, indicated that he is open to enforcing penalties on Iran. "Sanctions may be inevitable," he said. "When all instruments have been used and failed, one can use international legal sanctions," Medvedev said. He said nations should promote "positive incentives for Iran" to try to win compliance from the country. "Should we fail in that case, we'll consider other options," Medvedev said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |