UN Security Council adopts new Iran sanctions resolution

UNITED NATIONS, June 9– The UN Security Council on Wednesday (June 9, 2010) adopted a resolution to impose the fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program.

The resolution was approved by the 15-member council by a vote of 12 in favor. Brazil and Turkey voted against and Lebanon abstained.

Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Brazil's permanent representative to the United Nations, told an open Council meeting before the vote that "the adoption of sanctions runs contrary to the successful efforts of Brazil and Turkey in a negotiated (opportunity) in regards to its trade program."

"The Tehran declaration showed that dialogue and cooperation can do more than punitive action," she said.

For his part, Frtugrul Apakan, the Turkish permanent representative to the United Nations, said at the Council meeting: "We are deeply concerned that adoption sanctions will negatively affect the momentum created by the declaration and the overall diplomatic process."

The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which Tehran is a signatory, guarantees members the right to explore the peaceful uses of nuclear power. But, Iran's history of hiding a nuclear program in the past, its failure to cooperate with the IAEA and its development of long-range missiles capable of carrying a nuclear weapon fueled the nuclear weapon fears and led to the resolution.

This fourth round of sanctions bans new categories of weapons to be imported into Iran. It bans Iran's ability to engage in any activities related to ballistic missiles that could be capable of launching nuclear weapons.

It imposes asset freezes on 40 new entities, more than triple the number of previous resolutions. It imposes new restrictions on financial activities, banking activities, including correspondent banking, including insurance and reinsurance that could contribute to Iran's nuclear or proliferation activities.

It imposes a comprehensive cargo inspection regime to prevent Iran from continuing to smuggle contraband cargo.  It is something that Iran fought very hard to prevent passage today.

Travel and financial restrictions also were imposed on more officials and institutions, and the resolution has a qualified call for the boarding and inspection of ships heading for Iran. That can be carried out only if the country whose flag the vessel flies agrees to inspections.

The sanctions do not include restrictions on gas imports to Iran, a possibility the United States had floated but which China and Russia opposed.

Iran warned before the vote that it would break off negotiations with the United States and its allies if new sanctions were put in place.  After the vote, Ahmadinejad said they were like a "used handkerchief that should be dumped in a garbage can”. He also said “they cannot harm the Iranian nation”.  Itar-Tass news agency reported that Ahmadinejad will not attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan beginning Thursday.

Will the sanction get Iran to change its strategic calculations? Will it change its whole approach to dealing with the IAEA in allowing fuller inspections? I doubt it. I just don't think it will have that impact. This sanction lost its effectiveness when restriction on gas import to Iran and oil export were removed from it.  This sanction showed how isolated Ahmadinejad is.  It also made it more difficult and costly for Iran to trade with other countries.

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