U.S. move on Iran alienating for Europe

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's new package of sanctions against Iran widens the gap between the United States and its European allies over how to confront Tehran.

For two years, the administration has sought to work closely with Europeans and other world powers, convinced that collective action offered the best chance to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

But efforts to push through a third round of United Nations sanctions snagged and prospects for a new international coalition to impose economic penalties appear unlikely, so the administration decided to strike out on its own Thursday.