Iran soon will face United Nations sanctions, Nicholas Burns, the third ranking official at the State Department, told Washington-based defense reporters Thursday morning. Burns expects to see quick action—“by the first part of September”—once the Aug. 31 deadline passes for Tehran’s official response to the UN demand than Iran suspend its nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has steadfastly refused to end the program. Burns said Iran would imminently face chapter 7 sanctions if it doesn’t “comply with conditions enunciated by the Security Council.” Burns maintained that Tehran has had every opportunity to change its mind. Use of force is not one of the sanctions covered by chapter 7 of the UN charter.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.