UN adopts new sanctions on Iran
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The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to impose the fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program.
The resolution was approved by the 15-member council by a vote of 12 in favor. Brazil and Turkey voted against and Lebanon abstained.
Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's permanent representative to the United Nations, told an open Council meeting before the vote that "the adoption of sanctions runs contrary to the successful efforts of Brazil and Turkey in a negotiated ( opportunity ) in regards to its trade program."
"The Tehran declaration showed that dialogue and cooperation can do more than punitive action," she said.
For his part, Frtugrul Apakan, the Turkish permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the Council meeting: "We are deeply concerned that adoption sanctions will negatively affect the momentum created by the declaration and the overall diplomatic process."
Turkey and Brazil last month reached a deal with Tehran to deposit 1,200 kilograms of low enriched uranium in return for 120 kilograms of high-enriched uranium for a research reactor.
The resolution made a reference to Turkey and Brazil's such efforts, calling that as "a confidence building measure," and stressing "the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution guaranteeing that Iran's nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes."
The resolution builds on existing UN sanctions imposed since 2006 and expand the breadth and reach of such measures by creating new categories of sanctions.
It prohibits Iran from investing abroad in nuclear and enrichment operations and calls on Iran, once again, to refrain from continuing its uranium-enrichment program.
It decides that Iran shall not undertake "any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology, and that states shall take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer of technology or technical assistance to Iran related to such activities."
The resolution imposes binding new restrictions on Iran's import of conventional arms. States are prohibited from selling to Iran eight categories of heavy weapons, including battle tanks, attack helicopters, and missile systems.
