UK says 'no sane person' thinks about attacking Iran

As revelations about Iran's new under-construction nuclear enrichment facility surface, Britain reaffirms commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the nuclear row.

In an interview with the BBC, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said "no sane person" would look to attack Iran over its nuclear program "without real concern."

Britain is "100 percent committed" to finding a diplomatic solution, Miliband said.

According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the Iranian government in a letter on September 21 informed the agency that it is building a second uranium enrichment plant, allegedly near the central city of Qom.

Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the new plant will produce enriched uranium up to 5 percent, consistent with its nuclear energy program.

The UN nuclear watchdog in its previous reports had confirmed that Iran -- in its first enrichment facility in Natanz -- only managed to enrich uranium-235 to a level "less than 5 percent."

Uranium, the fuel for a nuclear power plant, can be used for military purposes only if enriched to high levels of above 90 percent.

The developments came as Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, Russia, Britain, France and the US -- plus Germany (P5+1) are to hold talks in Geneva on October 1.

Miliband referred to Britain's "dual track strategy" of diplomacy and pressure on Iran and said this policy would depend on the outcome of the meeting.

"I think it's very important we stick to that because the diplomatic track of engagement on the one hand and pressure on the other is only now really being tried with the engagement of America," he said.

When asked whether military action was "inconceivable", he said, "I always say to people look at what I do say, not at what I don't say and what I do say is that we are 100% focused on a diplomatic resolution of this question."

Amid revelations about Iran's newly disclosed nuclear facility, the leaders of the United States, France and Britain on Friday accused the country of deception in its pursuit of nuclear energy.

However, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected the western accusations, saying the plant was perfectly legal and not in breach of the IAEA rules.

"According to the IAEA rules, countries must inform the agency 6 months ahead of the gas injection in their uranium enrichment plants. We have done it 18 months ahead and this should be appreciated not condemned," the president said.