Friday, April 28 2006 10:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Sofia: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday (Apr 27, 2006) the UN Security Council has to act over Iran's failure to allay global concerns about its nuclear plans.

Speaking as Tehran ruled out suspending internationally condemned nuclear activities on the eve of a crunch UN deadline, Rice said the standoff called into question the global body's credibility.

"The United States believes that in order to be credible the Security Council of course has to act," Rice told reporters on the sidelines of talks with her NATO counterparts in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.

"I sincerely hope that the Security Council is prepared to take some action," she said, adding it was highly unlikely that Iran will accede to the demands of the international community.

The call was echoed by France's Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who urged the Security Council to send a 'rapid and firm"'signal to Iran as the UN deadline for the Islamic republic to freeze uranium enrichment work loomed today (Apr 28, 2006).

Western powers, led by the United States, say Iran is trying to develop a nuclear missile capability but Iran insists it is developing nuclear technology only to produce atomic energy.

Washington has backed tough action but Moscow and Beijing, also permanent members of the Security Council, have called for continued negotiation through the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).