The UN Security Council is flexing its scary finger again.

Well rested from firing off a couple of stern letters to North Korea earlier this year, the limpest body this side of Hugh Hefner before his morning Viagra has turned its attention to the Dennis the Menace of the international community, Iran.

We expect a serious response from Iran and will decide … as a result of the meeting on our next steps,” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, reading a statement agreed upon by the foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The “steps” being considered range from typing a sort of angry email in all caps to being suspended from the Homecoming Dance.

We want to see a serious effort by Iran to discuss the nuclear issue,” Clinton said, and added Iran must realize it is “at a turning point” and invite international investigators to see and verify its total nuclear program.

It’s “seen as meddling” if the President of the United States condemns violence in Iran but it’s “verification” if we show up with a bunch of foreign company and demand to look at stuff.

The diplomatic ways of the UN are subtle, mysterious and not for simple American folk like us to question. When it imposes sanctions then vigorously argues against punishing any country in violation of them we must take it on faith that it’s all part of a grander plan. A plan that could even involve such wrathful retribution as the expression of severe disappointment.

Or the universally dreaded “second meeting with follow-up letter”.

They’re serious this time.