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US approves Ahmadinejad UN trip US approves Ahmadinejad UN trip
(about 7 hours later)
The US has approved a visa for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address the UN Security Council when it votes on extra sanctions against Iran.The US has approved a visa for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address the UN Security Council when it votes on extra sanctions against Iran.
The vote follows Iran's refusal to give up uranium enrichment, which Western countries fear is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.The vote follows Iran's refusal to give up uranium enrichment, which Western countries fear is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.
A State Department spokesman urged Mr Ahmadinejad to use his speech to accept demands to end the programme. A state department spokesman urged Mr Ahmadinejad to use his speech to accept demands to end the programme.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
The 15-member Security Council is to meet on Wednesday to discuss the sanctions.The 15-member Security Council is to meet on Wednesday to discuss the sanctions.
Washington and Tehran do not have diplomatic relations, but the US, as host country of the UN, is obliged to allow foreign leaders to speak at the Council.Washington and Tehran do not have diplomatic relations, but the US, as host country of the UN, is obliged to allow foreign leaders to speak at the Council.
Mr Ahmadinejad has addressed the UN General Assembly twice since 2005, but never the Security Council.Mr Ahmadinejad has addressed the UN General Assembly twice since 2005, but never the Security Council.
'Confrontation or dialogue''Confrontation or dialogue'
Iran said on Monday it was prepared to pay the price for pursuing nuclear ambitions.Iran said on Monday it was prepared to pay the price for pursuing nuclear ambitions.
But State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Mr Ahmadinejad should accept an offer of talks. But state department spokesman Sean McCormack said Mr Ahmadinejad should accept an offer of talks.
"It would be an important moment for President Ahmadinejad in his address to the Security Council to take the opportunity to say, 'We are going to negotiate, we do not seek confrontation, we seek dialogue', and to accept the offer of negotiations that has been put forth," he said."It would be an important moment for President Ahmadinejad in his address to the Security Council to take the opportunity to say, 'We are going to negotiate, we do not seek confrontation, we seek dialogue', and to accept the offer of negotiations that has been put forth," he said.
"We'll see whether or not he wants to go down the pathway of confrontation or the pathway of dialogue.""We'll see whether or not he wants to go down the pathway of confrontation or the pathway of dialogue."
The new UN draft package includes extending a freeze of assets to those linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes and a ban on new grants and loans to the state.The new UN draft package includes extending a freeze of assets to those linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes and a ban on new grants and loans to the state.
The draft gives Iran 60 days to comply with UN demands or face "further appropriate measures".The draft gives Iran 60 days to comply with UN demands or face "further appropriate measures".
Last December, the Security Council voted unanimously to impose a first, limited set of sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.Last December, the Security Council voted unanimously to impose a first, limited set of sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.