The U.N Security Council imposed a new round of sanctions on the defiant Iran on Monday for refusing to suspend nuclear enrichment and its other sensitive activities; but Tehran dismissed the resolution as illegal.
There were 14 votes in favor, none against, and one country, Indonesia, abstained. Previous sanctions resolutions were adopted unanimously in December 2006 and March 2007, but council envoys said Monday's message to Iran was still a strong one.
The new sanctions resolution calls for more travel and financial curbs on Iranian individuals and companies; and makes some restrictions mandatory. The resolution also expands a previous partial ban on trade in items with both civilian and military uses to cover sales of all such technology to Iran.
In response, Iran denounced the current and previous resolutions as violations of international law; and said the actions only tarnished the 15-nation Security Council's credibility.
Iran's UN ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, also dismissed new US intelligence suggesting Iran had conducted an intensive study into building atomic weapons as "baseless" and said his country's nuclear program "has been, is and will remain absolutely peaceful."
Addressing a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog based in Vienna, Mohamed ElBaradei, the agency's head, urged Tehran to clear up the matter swiftly.
"I urge Iran to be as active and cooperative as possible in working with the agency to clarify this matter of serious concern," ElBaradei said.
Tehran has so far ignored all council and IAEA resolutions demanding that it freezes its uranium enrichment program which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or atomic weapons.
It has been clear since January that the new sanctions would pass, as they had the backing of all permanent council members, including China and Russia – which have close business ties with Iran – in addition to six non-permanent members.
Although Libya, Vietnam and South Africa, and Indonesia expressed reservations about the resolution, vigorous Western lobbying managed to win over all of these countries.
A new sanctions resolution on Iran seems to be a unanimous decision as expected; but many council members admit that, at this juncture, more sanctions may not be the best course of action.
In a statement on behalf of the five permanent members and Germany, British Ambassador John Sawers told the council the group wanted EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, to try to re-open negotiations and resolve the nuclear impasse.
Sawers added that the six powers were willing to beef up incentives offered by Solana to Tehran in 2006 if Iran suspended enrichment.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said that China believed the best way to deal with Iran was via talks.
"The aim is not to punish Iran, but to encourage a return to talks – to start a new round of diplomatic efforts. China hopes the Security Council's and the IAEA's resolutions are put into effect earnestly and fully," Qin said.
As a permanent council member, China calls on all sides to take on a responsible and constructive attitude; show necessary flexibility; and hold talks as soon as possible to find an all-around, long-term, appropriate way to resolve the Iran nuclear issue. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end. And diplomatic talks, China believes, are the best choice for solving Iran's nuclear stand-off, according to a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
By People's Daily Online
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