Tehran must let in UN inspectors, says US president, as pressure mounts for tough sanctions
Barack Obama has issued a strongly worded ultimatum to Iran after it admitted having a secret uranium plant that was revealed earlier today by US officials.
Obama demanded that the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) be allowed access to the secret site, which according to US officials is built inside a mountain near the ancient city of Qom, one of the holiest Shia cities in the Middle East.
"We expect the IAEA to immediately investigate this disturbing revelation," Obama said during a hastily arranged press conference at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh.
Obama, flanked by Gordon Brown and the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, spoke about a growing sense of urgency. "This is not the first time that Iran has concealed information about its nuclear programme."
Obama accused Iran of breaking UN rules and called on it to comply immediately.
Obama, Sarkozy and Brown all used tougher language than before, adding momentum to the prospect of new economic sanctions against Iran.
Sarkozy said Iran would have until December to comply or face sanctions. "This is for peace and stability," he said. If there was no change in Iran's stance "sanctions will have to be taken", he said.
Brown said Iran was guilty of "serial deception" and it was time for the international community to draw a line in the sand.
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