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| Tehran must halt N-programme by Aug 31: UN | | |
United Nations, Aug 1 : Criticising Iran for failing to assure the world that it is not developing nuclear arms, the UN Security Council has demanded a suspension of the country's nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, threatening sanctions for non-compliance.
The deadline for such compliance was set for August 31, but Tehran vowed to continue what it insists its ''peaceful'' nuclear programme.
Adopted yesterday by a vote of 14 to 1, the resolution was the Council's first action on the issue passed under Article 40 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows for enforcement measures.
Qatar, the Council's only Arab member, voted against the resolution.
Through the resolution the Council expressed the intention, in the event that Iran does not comply by the end of August, to ''undertake appropriate measures,'' under the sanctions clause, ''to persuade Iran to comply with this resolution,'' underlining, however, sanctions could not be applied without another Council decision.
In the meantime, however, the Council called on all states to prevent the transfer to Iran of materials and technology that could be used in enrichment, reprocessing or ballistic missile programmes.
The Council said Iran's compliance with this resolution would have to be confirmed by a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In March, the IAEA referred the issue to the Security Council, which issued a statement at that time calling for a similar suspension, saying that compliance would contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution to the stalemate.
After Iran failed to respond to that call by the required deadline, the Council took up the issue again in May, while the body's permanent members -- China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States -- along with Germany, were also pursuing a diplomatic solution, offering incentives to Iran for its compliance.
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