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UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions | UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions |
(40 minutes later) | |
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose 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. |
The sanctions ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and impose an asset freeze on key individuals and companies. | |
The US representative warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons would make it less, not more, secure. | 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 and has vowed to continue. | Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes and has vowed to continue. |
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 resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures. | |
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. | 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. |
"Today we are placing Iran in the small category of states under Security Council sanctions," Mr Wolff said. | "Today we are placing Iran in the small category of states under Security Council sanctions," Mr Wolff said. |
"If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply." | |
'Deteriorating power' | |
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, condemned the resolution as illegal. | |
He told state-run television that the decision "cannot affect or limit Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but will discredit the decisions of the Security Council, whose power is deteriorating." | |
The resolution, which demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work - which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |