GENEVA, Oct 10: Iran presented its request for membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the third time this year on Wednesday but the move was again immediately blocked by the United States, trade sources said.

A US diplomat at the meeting of the WTO’s ruling general council said the country was not in a position to consider the request at this stage but that the matter was under review and they hoped to solve the issue in the near future.

Tehran has asked the world trade body, which operates on a consensus basis among its 142 member states, for the green light to begin its membership process three times since May. The US has blocked the move each time.

After the last attempt in July, Iranian state radio, in a commentary lashed out at the United States saying it was a new sign of US hostility towards Iran.

America knows that if Iran, which applied for membership a long time ago, is granted entrance to the WTO, it can no longer uphold the sanctions against Tehran, the radio said.

Iran told July’s meeting, in a document outlining its request, that for the last several years it has embarked on an extensive programme of reconstruction and development leading to expansion of economic relations and trade with its regional and global partners.

It first asked for WTO membership in September 1996 but the request featured on the general council’s agenda for the first time only in May because of a lack of consensus among WTO members.

An Egyptian diplomat, speaking on behalf of an informal group of developing countries in support of Iran’s bid, said they regretted no decision had yet been taken.—AFP