The United States has warned Iran against following through on plans to resume atomic fuel research and development which it claimed would further Tehran's alleged quest to build nuclear bombs.
"If Iran takes any further enrichment-related steps, the international community will have to consider additional measures to restrain Iran's nuclear ambitions," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
He added that the United States suspects the research and development work, which Iran suspended two years ago to defuse international pressure over its atomic ambitions, would further what Washington believes is Tehran's pursuit of a nuclear bomb.