UN approves new, watered down sanctions against Tehran
The resolution places restrictions on 15 entities “owned, controlled or acting on behalf” of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (Pasdarans), a number of companies related to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and 22 companies involved in nuclear and ballistic missile activities.
The resolution also prohibits Iran from acquiring an interest in any commercial activity in another state in uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials, and expands the arms embargo to include a ban Iran on buying heavy weapons like combat aircrafts.
It also “calls upon” nations to intercept and inspect any cargo by air or sea suspected of containing banned materials that would contribute to Iran’s nuclear or missile programmes.
The 15-nation council voted 12 to 2, with one abstention, to approve the resolution with Turkey and Brazil voting against the measure, and Lebanon abstaining.
The need to get China, a permanent Security Council member with the veto power, on board prevented the United States and its allies from imposing bans or limits on two points that would have hit Tehran hard, namely the energy sector (oil and gas) and banking.
The resolution does target the Malaysia-based First East Export Bank, which is “owned or controlled” by Bank Mellat, but thanks to China’s opposition, does not touch the more important Export Development Bank of Iran.
For President Barack Obama, the resolution “sends an unmistakable message about the international community's commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons”. However, the US leader added that the United Nations is still open to a peaceful solution and to talks with Iran about its nuclear activities as long as it respects its obligations and demonstrates to the international community the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.
Iran was defiant in the face of the resolution. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already quipped that sanctions are «should be thrown in the dustbin", insisting that Iran would continue its uranium enrichment activity.
The Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the vote "damaged" the UN Security Council.
In practice, Iran has already taken a number of countermeasures as soon as sanctions appeared likely. For instance, most of its ships have changed property and country of registration making cargo inspections very difficult.
Still, the arrogant words of Iranian leaders belie their hope that Beijing could have blocked the resolution or water down the sanctions even more.
Iran in fact expressed disappointment with its largest trading partner, China, which is helping Iran in further developing its oil industry.
“I am surprised that China would accept [US] domination,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, vice president and head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. Its vote “will certainly influence the Islamic world and the minds of the Muslims,” he said. “It will slowly lose its respectable position in the Muslim world and will wake up when it’s too late”.
Still, Tehran is very interested in playing the China card. This afternoon, Ahmadinejad was expected in Shanghai. Tomorrow, he is set to visit Iran’s pavilion at the Expo on Iran Day.
He is not however scheduled to stop in Beijing or hold talks with Chinese leaders. This would make a planned press conference and eventual political talks something significant. (PD)
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