WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United States is committed to a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear issue, but it is also prepared to impose new sanctions against the country in case it does not live up to its obligations in the process, a senior American official said here Tuesday.
"This administration has demonstrated that it is committed to a diplomatic resolution of the international community's issues with Iran," Stuart Levey, under secretary of the Treasury, told the Senate Banking Committee.
"The world is now united in looking to Iran for a response. If Iran does not live up to its obligations in this process, it alone will bear the responsibility for that outcome," Levey said. "Under these circumstances, the United States would be obliged to turn to strengthened sanctions."
"We will now wait to see whether Iran follows its constructive words with concrete action. If it does not, and if the president determines that additional measures are necessary, we will be ready to take action, ideally with our international partners," Levey said.
U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration has been urging Iran to have "a serious, meaningful dialogue" over its disputed nuclear program.
"Talk is no substitute for action," Obama said early this month after the Geneva meetings between the permanent five members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany and Iran on Iran's nuclear program.
"Iran must demonstrate through concrete steps that it will live up to its responsibilities with regard to its nuclear program," Obama said.
