Following Iran’s threats to build nuclear weapons if the EU and the UN didn’t stop plans to ask the Security Council for sanctions, the European Union shows their strength of will.

By backing down: Europeans Drop Harsher Stance on Iran.

VIENNA, Austria - The European Union on Thursday offered to delay its drive to bring Iran before the U.N. Security Council for its suspect atomic activities if Russia and China will agree to a new resolution that criticizes Tehran for violating nuclear commitments.

If an agreement is not reached, however, the EU, backed by the United States, planned to force a vote on the tougher resolution.

The new U.S.-backed European offer was contained in a text threatening Tehran only with referral to the Security Council at a later date. The previous EU draft resolution — which also remained on the table — urged the 35 nations on the International Atomic Energy Agency board of directors to report Iran to the U.N.’s highest decision-making body during the board’s current session.

Neither version mentions sanctions, in recognition that veto-wielding Security Council members Russia and China were opposed.

UPDATE at 9/22/05 8:05:14 am:

Meanwhile, in Iran: Iran warns aggressors of ‘fire and destruction’.

TEHRAN (AFP) - Under pressure over its nuclear programme, Iran flaunted its ballistic missiles and warned any nation considering attacking the Islamic republic would face a “destructive and fiery” response.

On show at an annual military parade on Thursday were thousands of troops and a range of hardware including six of Iran’s Shahab-3 ballistic missiles — which sported banners saying “Death to America”, “We will crush America under our feet” and “ Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth”.

The slogans prompted a diplomatic protest by European military attaches.