The United Nations Security Council on Monday passed a resolution ordering Iran to halt its controversial nuclear work by August 31 or face possible sanctions.
Resolution 1Â 696 expresses “serious concern” at Iran’s refusal to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency orders to halt uranium enrichment and other nuclear work.
The measure was passed by 14 votes to one with Qatar alone on the 15 member council opposing the resolution.
The resolution was proposed by the United Kingdom, France and Germany, with strong United States backing. All suspect that Iran’s nuclear programme hides covert efforts to build a nuclear bomb. Iran says its research is for peaceful purposes.
The US’s UN ambassador John Bolton told the council that Iran has “consistently and brazenly defied the international community by continuing its pursuance of nuclear weapons”.
He said a “firm response” was needed because of the threat to international peace and security represented by the Iranian programme.
If Iran does not suspend its nuclear work by August 31, the Security Council will then consider a new resolution that could order economic and political sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Bolton has said the US will move “forcefully” to press for sanctions if Iran rejects.
Before the resolution was passed, Iran had threatened to reject an international offer of political and economic incentives to persuade it to suspend its nuclear research. — AFP