Tough new resolution on Iran submitted to UN

US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton. Picture / Reuters

UNITED NATIONS - The United States, Britain and France have introduced a UN Security Council resolution demanding Iran suspend uranium enrichment that the West suspects is part of a secret nuclear weapons program.

The text, which is still opposed by Russia and China, does not contain sanctions but goes further than a Security Council resolution approved in late March. It threatens to consider unspecified "further measures as may be necessary" to ensure Iran's compliance, a veiled warning of sanctions the West wants if Iran does not comply.

The draft calls on all nations to "exercise vigilance" in preventing the transfer of materials and technology "that could contribute to Iran's enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and missile programs."

The resolution is under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which makes it legally binding. It gives Iran another chance to comply prior to a deadline that has not yet been decided but diplomats hoped it would be in early June.

A Chapter 7 resolution allows sanctions or even war to enforce compliance but a separate resolution is required to define and activate either step.

Russia and China, which could kill any resolution by using their veto power, are reluctant to endorse anything that might be seen as a step towards possible later sanctions or military action, although this draft does not threaten either measure.

However, the Western allies want targeted sanctions if Iran defies this resolution, including a transfer of nuclear technology as well as a travel ban on individuals.

"This resolution will not deal with sanctions," US Ambassador John Bolton said, adding that it was not in Russia's interest "to be within the range of another nuclear power."

Britain's UN ambassador, Emyr Jones Parry, who drafted the measure along with Germany and France, said he would like to see the measure adopted by Monday, before a meeting in New York by foreign ministers from Germany and the five permanent council members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

But diplomats believe this is not possible and Jones Parry admitted, "I never predict timing, as I am always wrong."

The key paragraph in the resolution states that "Iran shall suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development" and "suspend the construction of a reactor moderated by heavy water".

Iran since 2004 has been building a heavy water reactor at Arak, 193km southwest of Tehran, which experts say raises concerns because it could produce bomb-grade plutonium.

Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, is used in certain types of nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons so they can react with uranium in the reactor.

A preamble expresses concern of the proliferation risks presented by the Iranian nuclear program and is "mindful of the threat to international peace and security".

Iran maintains its nuclear program is legal and peaceful and recently even accelerated uranium enrichment but is still far below the level needed to make an atomic bomb.

Its officials argue that the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, after three years of scrutiny, has not found a weapons program. They note the IAEA does not consider Iran's program an imminent threat to international peace and security.

"We will not give up our legitimate right (to nuclear technology) because of America's bullying and pressure," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said, according to Iran's state television network.

"America is trying to impose its policies on its allies by humiliating them and bullying," he said. "Iran's nuclear issue can only be resolved through diplomatic channels."

- REUTERS