The Security Council slaps the first-ever UN sanctions on Iran for its refusal to halt its sensitive nuclear fuel work, in a resolution adopted unanimously by its 15 members.
UNITED NATIONS: The Security Council on Saturday slapped the first ever UN sanctions on Iran, targeting its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes in response to its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work.
In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member council directed all states "to prevent the supply, sale or transfer ...of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs."
It also mandated that "all states shall freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources" owned by people or entities linked to "Iran's proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems."
Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who worked hard to soften the resolution, expressed hope that Iran would "correctly and very seriously take measures to correct the situation."
He made it clear that the sanctions would be lifted if Iran complies with demands of the council and the international Atomic Energy Agency.
US acting Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the council expected Iran's full, unconditional and immediate compliance" with the resolution, warning that "we will not hesitate to return to this body for further action" if Iran does not comply.
The text, drawn up by Britain, France and Germany, requires the Islamic Republic to "without further delay suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development" as well as "all heavy water-related projects."
The resolution warns that if Tehran refuses to comply with UN demands, the Council "shall adopt further appropriate measures under Article 41 of Chapter Seven" of the UN charter, a reference to non-military sanctions.
The vote took place exactly two months the three Europeans first introduced their sanctions draft resolution following Iran's failure to comply with an August 31 council deadline to halt its sensitive nuclear fuel work.
The European text was amended several times, notably to overcome Russian objections, as Moscow and Beijing, which have close economic and energy ties with Tehran, deemed it too tough and likely to irk the Iranians while Washington sought a tougher text.
In Tehran, senior Iranian lawmakers warned Saturday ahead of the vote that parliament could hit back at any sanctions by blocking UN inspections of its nuclear facilities.
A bill to suspend inspections of Iran's atomic sites by the UN nuclear watchdog has already been prepared by parliament and passed by its security and foreign affairs committee.
Western countries pushed hard for the sanctions fearing that Iran could use its uranium enrichment activities to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran says its nuclear program is strictly peaceful and aimed at providing electricity for a growing population.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed on Thursday that nothing would stop Iran from pushing ahead with its nuclear program.
"The bullying powers today, in confronting Iran's peaceful nuclear technology, are faced with a sea of courageous people," Ahmadinejad said in a speech.
Main points of UN sanctions resolution on Iran
The following are the main points of the resolution unanimously adopted by the Security Council, mandating nuclear-related sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work.
The UN Security Council:
Taking measures under Article 41 of Chapter Seven of the UN Charter (providing for non-military sanctions)
Decides that Iran shall without further delay suspend the following proliferation sensitive nuclear activities:
- all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, to be verified by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
- work on all heavy water-related projects, including the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water, also to be verified by the IAEA.
-- Decides that:
- all states shall take necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer directly or indirectly from their territories or by their nationals ... of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
- all states shall freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories ... that are owned by the persons or entities designated in the annex, as well as those of additional persons or entities designated by the Security Council ... as being engaged in, directly associated with or provided support for Iran's proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
-- Calls upon all states to exercise vigilance and prevent specialized teaching or training of Iranian nationals, within their territories or by their nationals, of disciplines which would contribute to Iran's proliferation sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
-- expressed the conviction that suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment would contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution that guarantees the program is for exclusively peaceful purposes.
-- requests that within 60 days a report from the Director-General of the UN nuclear watchdog agency IAEA "on whether Iran has established full and sustained suspension of all activities mentioned in this resolution, as well as on the process of Iranian compliance with all the steps required by the IAEA Board and with the other provisions of this resolution, to the IAEA Board and in parallel to the Security Council".
Affirms that:
- it shall terminate the sanctions in this resolution as soon as it determines that Iran has fully complied with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions and met the requirements of the IAEA board of governors.
- it shall, in the event that Iran has not complied with this resolution, adopt further appropriate measures under Article 41 of Chapter Seven of the UN charter to persuade Iran to comply with this resolution and the requirements of the IAEA, and underlines that further decisions will be required should such additional measures be necessary.
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