Monday, March 3, 2008

New Iran Sanctions

The UN Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran in an effort to show disapproval to Tehran that its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment is unacceptable. The resolution bans trade with Iran in both civilian and military goods and authorizes inspections of shipments to and from Iran that are suspected of carrying banned items. It also bans travel by five individuals linked to Iran's nuclear effort and freezes the assets of 12 companies and 13 individuals with links to Iran's nuclear ballistic missile programs. Among supporters for the resolution are the US, Britain, and France. Lybia, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam were concerned with voting for the resolution because the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported suspicions that most past Iranian nuclear activities have decreased.
This is not the first time the council has imposed sanctions. The council first imposed sanctions in December 2006, ordering all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs.
Iran's UN Ambassador told the Council that the government would not comply with the "unlawful action" against its "peaceful nuclear program." He also claimed that "History tells us that no amount of pressure, intimidation and threat will be able to coerce our nation to give up its basic and legal rights."
The resolution was passed on Monday.

Does Iran have the right to continue their "peaceful nuclear program?" Every nation can probably attest to wanting to build up their weapons for the sake of feeling secure, does Iran have this right to build up their weapons? Will the new sanction be more successful than the previous two sanctions? What should the UN do if Iran ignores the sanctions?

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