Iran may face new UN sanctions

Iran is being threatened with a third round of UN sanctions if it does not halt its nuclear work. It follows a meeting in London between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and Germany.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to defend the country's right to develop its civilian nuclear energy industry.

The Security Council has given the Islamic state another deadline – in late May – to halt uranium enrichment or face further punishment.

The world powers say they still favour a negotiated solution to the dispute.