New UN sanctions on Iran for its suspect nuclear program

New UN sanctions on Iran for nuclear program

A resolution approved Wednesday by the U.N. Security Council by a vote of 12-2 with one abstention imposes a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program. Here are the key points in the 18-page text:

NUCLEAR ISSUES:

— Reiterates demand that Iran suspend enrichment and comply with all requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency including its additional protocol which allows unannounced inspections of nuclear facilities.

— Calls on Iran to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty “at an early date.”

— Bans Iran from any foreign investment in uranium mining, enrichment or reprocessing, production or use of nuclear materials and technology, heavy-water activities, and technology related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

MISSILES AND ARMS PROLIFERATION:

— Bans countries from selling eight categories of heavy weapons to Iran: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles and missile systems.

— Bans all countries from supplying technical training, financing or other services for these weapons.

— Bans Iran from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launching such a missile.

— Bans all countries from supplying technology or technical assistance to Iran for such activities.

INDIVIDUAL AND COMPANY SANCTIONS:

— Adds one individual and 40 companies and other organizations to a list of those subject to an asset freeze including 22 entities involved in nuclear or ballistic missile activities, 15 controlled or acting on behalf of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, and three linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

— Orders all countries to ban the 41 individuals now on the list from traveling to or through their territory.

ILLEGAL SHIPMENTS:

— Calls on countries to cooperate in inspections — which must receive the consent of the ship’s flag state — if the vessel is suspected of carrying prohibited cargo.

— Bans the supply of fuel or services to Iranian owned or contracted vessels suspected of carrying prohibited cargo.

FINANCIAL AND BANKING MEASURES:

— Calls on countries to block financial transactions, including insurance and reinsurance, if there are “reasonable grounds” to believe these activities could contribute to Iranian nuclear activities.

— Orders all countries to require their nationals and companies operating in their territory “to exercise vigilance when doing business with entities incorporated in Iran or subject to Iran’s jurisdiction.”

— Calls on countries to ban the licensing of Iranian banks, the opening of financial institutions, or the establishment of new joint ventures if they have information that provides “reasonable grounds” to believe these activities could contribute to Iranian nuclear activities.

SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT:

— Requests Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to establish a committee of experts to monitor implementation of all sanctions against Iran and calls for a first report 90 days after its appointment.

ENGAGEMENT:

— Stresses the willingness of China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and the United States “to further enhance diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and consultations … without preconditions” with Iran.

— Emphasizes the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution guaranteeing that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

— Notes in this regard the efforts of Turkey and Brazil toward agreement with Iran on a fuel-swap for the Tehran Research Reactor “that could serve as a confidence-building measure.”

— Emphasizes in the context of these efforts “the importance of Iran addressing the core issues related to its nuclear program.”