PITTSBURGH — President Barack Obama and the leaders of France and Britain said Friday the revelation of a previously secret Iranian nuclear facility puts heavy new pressure on Tehran to quickly disclose all its nuclear efforts – including any moves toward weapons development – "or be held accountable."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Iran has until December to comply or face new sanctions. Before that, the Iranians are to meet next week with the U.S. and other major powers to discuss a range of issues including Iran's nuclear program.
"We will not let this matter rest," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who accused Iran of "serial deception."
Said Obama: "The Iranian government must now demonstrate through deeds its peaceful intentions or be held accountable to international standards and international law."
Their dramatic three-way statement opened the G-20 economic summit here.
Obama urged Iran to fully disclose its nuclear activities and said the International Atomic Energy Agency must investigate the newly revealed site.
Just hours later, the head of Iran's nuclear program suggested U.N. inspectors will be allowed to visit it. Ali Akbar Salehi called the facility "a semi-industrial plant for enriching nuclear fuel" that is not yet complete, but he gave no other details, according to the state news agency IRNA.
Iran kept the facility, 100 miles southwest of Tehran, hidden from weapons inspectors until a letter it sent to the IAEA on Monday.
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