UNITED NATIONS, March 14: The United States on Tuesday accused China and Russia of blocking agreement on a statement by the United Nations Security Council that Iran must suspend uranium enrichment activities, US Ambassador John Bolton said.

Russia and China are against any precipitous action by the Security Council, saying that the issue should still be handled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

China’s Ambassador Wang Guangya said: “We believe the purpose of moving this issue to New York is to reinforce the role of IAEA, and not for the Security Council to take it over from IAEA.” In an interview with Fox News, Mr Bolton said the United States is not ruling out using force against Iran.

“The use of force is certainly an option that’s out there,” Mr Bolton told the network. The statement coincided with an announcement by Russia that it was reopening talks with Iran over its nuclear programme.