Top > Business > 2007 > January > 2007-01-01

Sanctions on Iran Nuclear Program

After two months of intense negotiations, the U.N. Security Council has voted 15-0 on the imposition of sanctions regarding the enrichment of nuclear material and the research and development of the necessary technology. After the Council had tried to convince Iran to halt all uranium enrichment work in exchange for economic help, this measure is seen by many as an urgent warning to Iran to acknowledge international law and return to the negotiation table.

The sanctions basically prevent Iran from importing or exporting dangerous materials and ballistic missile delivery systems, a final compromise accommodating some Russian objections. Russia is currently building a light-water reactor worth $800 for Iran and is interested in good relationships with the country. The USA, on the other hand, wants to end credits for Iran and stop arms sales to Teheran.

For now Iran has declared the sanctions to be illegal and vowed to not let the U.N. decision affect their peaceful nuclear activities. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini announced that Iran would keep building 3,000 centrifuge units at their uranium enrichment plant. Thus Iran is further turning away from international negotiations and compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency.