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UN set to vote on Iran sanctions UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions
(about 3 hours later)
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution imposing trade sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment.
Such measures would ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials, freeze certain assets and ban travel for specific individuals. The sanctions ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials, freeze certain assets and limit travel for specific individuals.
The draft has been amended several times to accommodate objections by Russia and China. The US representative warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons would make it less, not more, secure.
Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes only, and will continue. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes and has vowed to continue.
Hours before the vote, Russia's Vladimir Putin and US President George W Bush discussed the issue by telephone, the Kremlin said. 'Serious repercussions'
Delayed vote The resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures.
The main sticking point for the five permanent members of the Security Council has been getting Russia to agree on sanctions, the BBC's Andy Gallacher reports from the UN. If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/5377914.stm" class="">Gulf of misunderstanding
The text has been revised to take account of Russian concerns over such provisions as a freeze on the assets abroad of specific Iranian individuals and organisations. But acting US ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff, said the resolution sent a strong warning that there would be serious repercussions to Iran's continued defiance of the international community.
Both China and Russia have strong financial ties with Iran. "Today we are placing Iran in the small category of states under Security Council sanctions," Mr Wolff said.
Russia is building a nuclear power station in the country and China has significant oil interests in Iran. "If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply," he said.
The resolution is expected to demand that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs. The resolution, which demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants and bombs, was the result of months of protracted negotiations.
The version approved by all 15 council members had been amended several times to meet objections from Russia and China.
Hours before the vote, US President George W Bush spoke to Russia's Vladimir Putin and discussed the issue, agreeing on the importance of a unified stance.
Watered down
In a statement before the Security Council, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, emphasised that the resolution did not authorise the use of force.
But he said the sanctions sent a "strong message" to Iran about the need to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The text has been watered down to take account of Russian concerns over such provisions as a freeze on the assets abroad of specific Iranian individuals and organisations.
Both Russia and China have strong financial ties with Iran - Russia is building a nuclear power station in the country and China has significant oil interests there.
The resolution demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to reconsider relations with those countries which support sanctions.Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to reconsider relations with those countries which support sanctions.