Iran's Defiance Narrows U.S. Options for Response

As Iran takes a step closer to developing nuclear capacity, President Bush finds his options ever more constricted. The Iranians seem unfazed by U.N. statements. The Russians and Chinese won't go along with economic sanctions. And the generals at the Pentagon hate the idea of a military strike.

The White House declared yesterday that "it is time for action" by the U.N. Security Council, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on it to take "strong steps" to force Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment. But even as Europeans, Russians and Chinese expressed disapproval of Iran's latest move, there were no signs of consensus on what to do about it.

Video Rice to Consider Force Against Iran Denouncing Iran's successful enrichment of uranium as unacceptable to the international community, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday the U.N. Security Council must consider "strong steps" to induce Tehran to change course. At a Glance Timeline: Iran's Nuclear Program   Text: Draft Resolution on Iran   Graphic: Tracking Nukes' Spread   Nuclear Development in Iran Iran Announces Plans to Expand Nuclear Program Rice Urges U.N. to Take 'Strong Steps' on Iran Iran Declares Nuclear Advance Official Dismisses Iran Policy Reports U.S. Is Studying Military Strike Options on Iran More Stories Save & Share Tag This Article  Saving options 1. Save to description:  Headline (required)