Soon after the UN Security Council decided to slap sanctions on Iran for its nuclear programme, the United States too has called for a tougher international action against Tehran. The UN sanctions has clamped a ban on supply of nuclear materials to Iran and freeze the country's assets abroad.
Meanwhile, the US state department has opined that UN resolution was not enough. Adding that the Bush Administration would persuade the global community, especially nations like Russia, to impose stronger penalties individually. This according to the US would include stopping banks lending to Iran.
However, the sanctions have been rubbished by Iran, with Tehran reacting defiantly to the unanimous vote by the Security Council imposing the sanctions. Tehran said that the country would press ahead with its uranium enrichment programme, insisting that the Security Council could not limit what it described as Iran's peaceful nuclear activities. Saying that the sanctions imposed on it are illegal, Iran added that it was being punished for exercising its right to nuclear technology.
The UN resolution demanded that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs. The resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures.
Meanwhile, Russiahas said that the resolution did not authorise the use of force. Saying that the sanctions sent a strong message to Iran about the need to comply with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russia has however watered down its statement in a bid to take account of its concerns over provisions like freeze on the assets abroad of specific Iranian individuals and organisations. Russia, it may be noted, is building a nuclear power station in Iran.Labels: International Politics |
