Washington yesterday raised the stakes in the confrontation over Iran when it warned India that Delhi's own nuclear deal with the US could be ditched if the Indian government did not vote to refer Tehran to the United Nations Security Council.

The US's tough new move came amid increasing signs that Iran's efforts to delay referral to New York may be gaining ground. Yesterday, Kofi Annan, United Nations secretary-general, expressed doubts that the UN's nuclear watchdog would be able to take such a step next week, as the US and the European Union intend. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran emphasised their "fast-growing" ties with each other.