UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions

The resolution achieved rare unanimous support

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment.

The sanctions ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and impose an asset freeze on key individuals and companies.

The US representative warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons would make it less, not more, secure.

Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes and has vowed to continue.

If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff Reaction in quotes

The resolution demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs.

The vote by the 15-member council took place exactly two months after Britain, France and Germany first introduced a draft resolution proposing sanctions.

The draft resolution was amended several times after objections from both the Russians and Chinese.

But after parts of the resolution were watered down, both Russia and China - who have close financial ties with Iran - backed the proposals.

The resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures.

But acting US ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff, said the resolution sent a strong warning that there would be serious repercussions to Iran's continued defiance of the international community.

"If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply," Mr Wolff said.

'Strong message'

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, condemned the resolution as illegal.

He told state-run television that the decision "cannot affect or limit Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but will discredit the decisions of the Security Council, whose power is deteriorating."

Hours before the vote, US President George W Bush spoke to Russia's Vladimir Putin and discussed the issue, agreeing on the importance of a unified stance.

HAVE YOUR SAY Iran will continue enriching until the US or Israel takes military action Jonathan, Chicago Send us your comments

In a statement before the Security Council, Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, emphasised that the resolution did not authorise the use of force.

But he said the sanctions sent a "strong message" to Iran about the need to comply with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The text was watered down to take account of Russian concerns over such provisions as a freeze on the assets abroad of specific Iranian individuals and organisations.

Russia is building a nuclear power station in Iran and China has significant oil interests there.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to reconsider relations with those countries which support sanctions.