TIGHTENING THE SCREWS
Tehran has so far ignored all council and IAEA resolutions demanding it freeze its uranium enrichment program, which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or atomic weapons.
Diplomats describe the sanctions as a moderate tightening of the screws from the two previous resolutions. They said this was the most Washington could get after a surprising U.S. intelligence report released in December said Iran had scrapped an atom bomb program in 2003.
The five permanent council members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - and Germany, which is not on the council, agreed in Berlin on January 22 on a draft text outlining a third round of sanctions against Tehran.
Washington had hoped for a swift vote on the sanctions text, but negotiations dragged on for six weeks.
It was clear since January that the new sanctions would pass, since they had the backing of all permanent council members - including Russia and China, which have close business ties with Iran - and six non-permanent members.
But the resolution's European co-sponsors - Britain, France and Germany - wanted to send the strongest possible message to Iran by getting as close to unanimity as possible.
Libya, Vietnam and South Africa, as well as Indonesia, had expressed reservations about the resolution, but vigorous Western lobbying managed to win over all except Jakarta.
"Iran is cooperating with the IAEA," Indonesian Ambassador Marty Natalegawa said, explaining his decision to abstain. "At this juncture more sanctions are not the best course."
In a statement on behalf of the five permanent members and Germany, British Ambassador John Sawers told the council the group wanted EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili to try to reopen negotiations and resolve the nuclear impasse.
Without elaborating, Sawers said the six powers were willing to beef up the incentives offer Solana delivered to Tehran in 2006 if Iran suspended enrichment.
"We reconfirm the proposals we presented to Iran in June 2006 and are prepared to further develop them," he said. "Our proposals will offer substantial opportunities for political, security and economic benefits to Iran and to the region."
