By SPA
United Nations : France and the United Kingdom formally introduced a third set of sanctions against Iran to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday evening, prompting some member states to say no action should be taken before the release next week of a report from the nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner met with IAEA Chief Mohammad Elbaradei on Thursday while the Security Council’s five permanent members – France, the United Kingdom, United States, Russia and China – pushed for a new draft resolution on Iran’s nuclear activity.
Asked by the press why France and the United Kingdom are a tabling a resolution on Iran before the report is released, British UN Ambassador John Sawers said it is “to put pressure on Iran” to “act more expeditiously” in suspending its nuclear enrichment program.
But South Africa, Indonesia and some other member states want the Security Council to wait until the report is received and read by all member states, before taking any action.
The British-French resolution, obtained by the Saudi Press Agency, calls on states “to exercise vigilance and restraint” on travels of those involved in “Iran’s proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or for the development nuclear weapon delivery systems.”
It would also prevent countries from the“supply, sale or transfer” of “flag vessels or aircraft” to Iran, and call on them to avoid financial transactions, inspect Iranian cargos, aircraft and vessels, as well as other restrictions.
When inspection of cargos takes place, the resolution requires states to submit a report to the Security Council within five working days on the details of the inspection.
The resolution also “welcomes the agreement between Iran and the IAEA to resolve all outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program and progress made” and requires the IAEA chief to send another report in 90 days on “whether Iran has established full and sustained suspension.”
If the proposed resolution is adopted, it will be the third time the Security Council has issued economic and trade sanctions against the country in an effort to convince Tehran to stop its uranium enrichment activities.