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New Iran sanctions vote could be today: British envoy

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US ambassador to the UN, speaks on the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Iran at the UN headquarters on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

The Security Council edged closer to adopting a third set of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear defiance, with talks set to continue yesterday, despite reservations from some countries.

Envoys from the US, Britain and France told reporters after consultations of the 15-member council on Thursday that it had been agreed to pursue last-minute discussions on the text early yesterday.

"Our intention is to vote on the resolution as soon as possible, probably on Saturday," Britain's UN Ambassador John Sawers said.

Adoption of the text, which is co-sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, is a foregone conclusion as it has already been agreed to by the five veto-wielding members of the council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US.

And the sponsors say they have enough support among the 10 non-permanent members to ensure passage, which requires nine votes and no veto.

But Sawers said that the co-sponsors were prepared "to go the extra mile ... to get as much support as possible" for the draft, which renews the council's long-standing demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment over fears it could give it the capability to build nuclear weapons.

The Islamic republic insists its nuclear program is peaceful and geared only toward generating electricity.

Indonesia, Libya, South Africa and Vietnam -- non-aligned nations that are non-permanent council members -- have voiced reservations about the need for a third set of sanctions since the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported progress in Iran's efforts to come clean on past nuclear activities.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, whose country maintains close economic and energy ties with Tehran, said the council was obliged to slap on the sanctions because of Iran's defiance.

China said on Thursday that the new sanctions should not undermine trade. A Chinese company was reportedly preparing to sign a US$16 billion energy deal with Tehran.
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