Bush renews Iran sanctions

In a decree, Bush said Iran had not allayed US concerns about its alleged "support for international terrorism, efforts to undermine the Middle East peace process, and acquisition of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them."

The US leader's decision -- which extends by one year sanctions initially imposed by then-president Bill Clinton on March 15, 1995 -- came amid fresh tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear programme.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

"The actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," Bush said in a statement.

Reuters adds: Washington and its allies faced tough resistance yesterday as non-aligned members of the UN atomic watchdog rejected a resolution that sharply criticises Iran's nuclear secrecy and keeps the door open for sanctions.

In backroom meetings at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Canadian, Australian and European diplomats on the IAEA's Board of Governors negotiated with diplomats from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to revise a draft IAEA resolution.

The United States, France, Britain and Germany agreed this week on an Australian-Canadian draft text that "deplores" Tehran's withholding of sensitive information from the IAEA and highlights a military link to Tehran's nuclear program.