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UN breakthrough on Iran sanctions Iran sanctions go to UN council
(about 13 hours later)
Diplomats at the UN have reached agreement in principle on a package of new sanctions against Iran, following its refusal to stop enriching uranium. A new sanctions package designed to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme has been agreed by the six countries handling the issue at the UN.
The draft resolution is expected to be presented to the Security Council for discussion on Thursday. The British ambassador immediately sent the draft to the 10 non-permanent Security Council members, who have not been included in the negotiations.
The sanctions may include a ban on the export of arms from Iran, and a freeze on the assets of key Iranian officials. The package includes an arms embargo and economic penalties.
Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful, but Western governments suspect Iran of wanting a nuclear bomb. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful, but Western governments say it wants to develop nuclear weapons.
Ambassadors from Britain, France, the United States, China and Russia - the five permanent members of the Security Council - and Germany agreed the draft resolution in principle. Last December, the Security Council voted unanimously to impose a first, limited set of sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.
The governments must now approve the text before it is presented to the full Security Council, likely on Thursday. The latest package includes extending a freeze of assets to those linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes and a ban on new grants and loans to the state.
'Exclusive wisdom' Ambassadors from Britain, France, the United States, China and Russia - the five permanent members of the Security Council - and Germany agreed the draft resolution after Tehran refused to stop enriching uranium, which can be a precursor to weapons manufacture.
Diplomats predict the sanctions will include an embargo on Iranian arms exports and an asset freeze on more individuals and companies associated with Tehran's nuclear programme. Before the draft was presented, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed the initiative would not sway his country.
The new resolution would also call on governments to make no new commitments "of grants, financial assistance, or concesssional loans to the government of Iran," a diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Issuing such torn pieces of paper ... will not have an impact on the Iranian nation's will," he told a rally in central Iran.
South Africa's ambassador, Dumisani Kumalo, warned that the 10 non-permanent Security Council members, not involved in the discussions so far, now wanted to have their say. South Africa's ambassador at the UN, Dumisani Kumalo, has warned that the 10 non-permanent council members now want to have their say.
"Nowhere in this process have they ever said that the five plus one would have the exclusive wisdom of producing [the draft resolution] and for us to rubber-stamp," he said. "Nowhere in this process have they ever said that the five-plus-one would have the exclusive wisdom of producing [the draft resolution] and for us to rubber-stamp," he said.
Asked whether the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will come to the UN to be present for the vote, Mr Kumalo said it was still theoretical because no vote has yet been scheduled.
Mr Kumalo said it could be next week before the Council votes on the resolution.