Anti-Iran nuclear move 'dropped'

The UN vote was delayed to allow extra lobbying by the resolution's sponsors

Plans for a new resolution against Iran at the UN's nuclear watchdog have been dropped, reports quoting diplomats say.

Diplomats speaking anonymously to news agencies said Western states had scrapped the plans in the face of opposition led by China and Russia.

Some objectors reportedly felt the move unnecessary, after the UN Security Council approved new sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme on Monday.

Some Western states believe Iran wants nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.

This resolution is illogical, illegal and totally politically motivated Gholamali Haddad-Adel Iranian Speaker

Tehran has refused to comply with demands that it stop enriching uranium.

This can be undertaken for power generation, but may also be a precursor to building an atomic bomb.

Last week the chief inspector of the watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), presented intelligence suggesting that Iran had in the past made attempts to weaponise uranium.

'Serious concern'

The agency's director, Mohammed ElBaradei, on Monday urged Iran to help his agency clarify what he called "this matter of serious concern".

RESOLUTION 1803 Imposes travel bans on five Iranian officials Freezes foreign assets of 13 Iranian companies and 13 officials Bans sale of dual-use items to Iran Urges governments to withdraw financial backing from firms trading with Iran, inspect cargo going into and out of the country, and monitor the activities of two Iranian banks Requests IAEA to report on whether Iran has complied with demand to suspend uranium enrichment If not, threatens further sanctions Iran still claims to be winning Q&A: Iran nuclear issues

Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only, and has dismissed the UN Security Council move as illegal.

"This resolution is illogical, illegal and totally politically motivated," Iranian Speaker Gholamali Haddad-Adel said.

But Russia - which has been helping Iran to build its first nuclear power station, and has been supplying it with nuclear fuel - urged Iran to co-operate with the Security Council.

A foreign ministry statement in Moscow said the resolution was a serious political signal to Tehran to meet the demands of the international community.

Fourteen of the 15 members of the council voted in favour of measures including asset freezes and travel bans for Iranian officials.