Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced Sunday that Australia will participate in UN sanctions on Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

The announcement immediately followed the unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 1737 imposing sanctions on Iran.

Downer said Australia will now be proceeding to implement the terms of the resolution.

"These include a ban on the provision of assistance and the sale, transfer or procurement of certain military and dual-use items related to Iran's uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, and ballistic missile program," said Downer in a statement.

"Australia fully endorses the Security Council conviction that Iran's suspension of all uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities as well as full, verified compliance with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors will contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution," he said.

"As I have said previously, this is not a case of questioning Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy," he said.

The minister said Australia supports the right of all parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that comply faithfully with their non-proliferation commitments to peaceful nuclear energy.

"The onus is now on Iran as a responsible member of the United Nations to abide by all Security Council decisions and cooperate fully with the IAEA to prove without doubt that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes," said Downer.

Source: Xinhua