TheU.S. Ambassador to the IAEA, Greg Schulte, told journalists MondayIran's nuclear program is a threat to stability in the Middle East andthat it is in China's interest to help end the program.
"Almost50 percent of China's crude oil supply comes from the Middle East,"said Schulte. "And, so I would argue that actually Chinahas, just from the standpoint of energy security has a major interestin convincing Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions."
Iran hasbeen under increasing international pressure to stop its uraniumenrichment program. Iran says the program is for producing peacefulnuclear power, but the U.S. and other western nations suspect Iranwants to develop nuclear weapons.
China supported three roundsof limited U.N. sanctions against Iran, but along with Russia has beenreluctant to support tougher, comprehensive sanctions.
Iran is a major supplier of oil to energy hungry China, and despite the sanctions Beijing continues to do business with Tehran.
Schulte says now is not the time for business as usual.
"Thisis a time when the leaders of Iran need to understand that there areconsequences for their action and so I think it's important that theyget this message consistently from both what countries say and whatcountries do," he said.
Over the weekend Iran appeared to reject thelatest international offer for nuclear power and diplomatic incentivesin exchange for suspension of its uranium enrichment program. Iran hassaid it will not suspend the program for any offer.
Schulte isin Beijing for consultations with Chinese officials on Iran and othernuclear concerns. He says he would also like to see China, a member ofthe IAEA board, be more vocal in criticizing Syria's nuclear ambitions.
"Beingon the board, being on the Security Council, China can add its voice toothers basically saying to Syria, both publicly and privately, that youneed to cooperate fully with the IAEA," said Schulte.
Washington says Syria was developing a secret nuclear facility before Israel bombed it last September.