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No sane person wants conflict with Iran: -Miliband

Nuclear Program Materials 26 September 2009 03:59 (UTC +04:00)

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Friday "no sane person" would want a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear ambitions and he believed diplomacy could settle the dispute, Reuters reported.

Britain, the United States and France threatened tough new sanctions against Iran unless it comes clean about its nuclear program after accusing Tehran Friday of building a secret uranium enrichment plant.

Western leaders fear Iran wants to build nuclear weapons while Tehran says its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, to generate electricity.

After the disclosure Friday that Iran had been building another nuclear plant for several years, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would not rule out any options in tackling the Islamic Republic over the issue.

Miliband told Britain's Channel 4 news: "No sane person wants to have a military engagement with Iran over its nuclear facilities."

He added: "That's why I always say that we are 100 percent committed to the diplomatic track. I believe the diplomatic track can work."

Brown said Iran had until December to comply with Western demands or face new sanctions.

"The Iranians have said they want a civilian nuclear power program that fulfils their rights under the non-proliferation treaty," Miliband said.

"They can have that, as long as they accept their responsibilities not to have a covert or overt military nuclear program."

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