The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has by a heavy margin imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran.
Of the 15 members in the Council, 12 voted in favour of sanctions. Turkey and Brazil opposed the sanctions, while Lebanon abstained.
Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador at the U.N., described the vote as a “decisive” move against Iran's nuclear programme. “Iran has shunned opportunity after opportunity to verify the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme,” she said.
However, Brazil and Turkey, both of whom had signed a nuclear swap deal with Iran last month, warned that the latest sanctions would impede diplomacy on Iran's atomic programme.
“We do not see sanctions as an effective instrument... [the] spiral of sanctions, threats and isolation can result in tragic consequences,” said Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's Ambassador to the U.N.
“The concerns regarding Iran's nuclear programme.... will not be resolved until dialogue begins.”
Iran's Ambassador to the U.N., Mohammad Khazaee, said before the outcome the drive for sanctions meant that some countries “prefer confrontation”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to react accordingly in the way it considers appropriate,” said Mr. Khazaee.
Iranian President warned in Turkey on Tuesday that fresh sanctions would kill all prospects of negotiations on Iran's atomic programme.
In Vienna, Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said Wednesday that Iran “will not compromise on its inalienable rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA's Articles of Association”.
The new sanctions include provisions that prohibit Iran from purchasing heavy weaponry, of various types, including attack helicopter and missiles. It recommends all countries to inspect cargo from Iran, suspected of containing banned items at their ports and airports. Banning licences of banks suspected of funding nuclear activities is also part of the recommendations. Besides, a travel ban and asset freezes for a number of individuals, including senior nuclear officials and associated firms is proposed.
Hours before the UNSC vote, Russia, France and the United States responded to the nuclear swap deal that Iran, Turkey and Brazil had signed last month.
While the full details of the response were still awaited, diplomats familiar with the issue said that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Yukiya Amano conveyed to Iran, the response of the three countries, the so-called Vienna group.
The Vienna group apparently wants some significant changes to the Tehran document.
