The UN Security Council's adoption on Saturday of a resolution imposing sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and ballistic missiles drew reactions ranging from US complaints that the measures were not tough enough to Russian hopes that Iran's relationship with the international community would soon be back on track.

"Iran has simply thumbed its nose at the council and defied international law." British UN Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry.

"It is not a question of being happy or unhappy. It's a question of taking the right decision to ensure that problems are resolved peacefully and amicably and that we have a full-fledged development of relations between Iran and the international community... I hope the reaction of Iran is going to be constructive in order to open the way for negotiations." Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

"This resolution sends out a clear message on the part of the international community to Iran which is now facing a strategic choice... co-operation with the international community or growing isolation." French UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere.

"Today we are placing Iran in the small category of states under Security Council sanctions and sending Iran an unambiguous message that there are serious repercussions to its continued disregard of its obligations and defiance of this body." acting US UN Ambassador Alejandro Wolff.

"The new Security Council resolution cannot be a hurdle in the path of Iran's nuclear progress and the Iranian nation will continue its peaceful nuclear programme based upon pre-designed schedules and using its national strength and in the framework of reviving its certain rights according to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty)." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini.

Source: China Daily