WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Xinhuanet)-- The United States on Monday warned Iran that it may be referred to the UN Security Council after Tehran announced last week it would resume controversial nuclear fuel research.

    Iran must maintain a total suspension of activities linked to uranium enrichment, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

    Noting "the international community has growing concerns about the regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program," the spokesman said, "the next step would be a referral to the Security Council" if it failed to keep its international obligations.

    US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned last week that Washington may initiate action to haul Iran before the UN SecurityCouncil if it pursued its latest threat to resume nuclear fuel research.

    Britain, France and Germany have been trying to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program, which could be used to make atom bomb fuel, for over two years.

    The United States and the European Union suspect Tehran is trying to develop weapons under cover of a civilian atomic energy program, a charge Iran vehemently denies. Enditem