Part of the reason may be fear, or concern, that the United States and Europe would punish Iran, if it were proved otherwise.

Plus what right has the US to punish Iran?

The Soviet Union, which was never enthusiastic about the move, was unlikely to agree to an action that punished Iran.

He clarified, however, that Russia was against punishing Iran.

"I believe the Olympic management - or whatever you refer to them as - made a big mistake by not punishing Iran for what they did."

But other agencies, including the Energy and Commerce Departments have resisted taking any action that will not directly punish Iran.

It was an open secret in the United Nations that this resolution was intended to lend international support to Iraq and to punish Iran.

At the moment, the United States is trying to punish Iran for refusing to give up uranium enrichment.

Besides, the real problem is not finding a means to punish Iran, but persuading it to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

The Bush administration has been continually frustrated in its efforts to persuade the atomic energy agency to punish Iran for its nuclear activities.