The French news agency (AFP) on Oct 21, reported that the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney Sunday said the United States and its allies would not permit Iran to get nuclear weapons and warned of “serious consequences” if it continues to enrich uranium.
“The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences,” he said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

“Iran is pursuing technology that can be used to develop nuclear weapons. The world knows this,” Cheney said, noting that Iran had refused to stop enriching uranium despite two rounds of sanctions from the UN Security Council.

He said “the regime continues to do so, and continues to practice delay and deception in an obvious attempt to buy time”.

Iran was “a growing obstacle to peace” throughout the Middle East, added the vice president, after President George W. Bush warned last week that a nuclear-equipped Iran evoked the threat of “World War III”.