Pressure builds in US for tougher action against Iran

FOURTEEN months after the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, offered to talk to Iran, the failure of carrot-and-stick diplomacy to block Tehran's nuclear and regional ambitions is producing a drumbeat for bolder action, including the possible use of force.

Some of the language urging the Bush Administration to be more aggressive during its final 17 months is reminiscent of arguments that shaped the case for the invasion of Iraq.

Dr Rice and the Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, are committed to economic sanctions and pressure through the United Nations. But proponents of tougher policy reflect the views of a small part of the Bush Administration open to military options if Iran does not suspend a uranium-enrichment program that the US says could be subverted for a nuclear bomb. More...