UN imposes new Iran sanctions
President Ahmadinejad claims he wished to attend the meeting but did not receive a visa in time
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Saturday, 24, Mar 2007 08:42
The UN security council has unanimously voted in favour of imposing fresh sanctions upon Iran over its refusal to end uranium enrichment.
Resolution 1747 expands upon an agreement from the 15-member body at the end of last year, with restrictions now in place on weapon exports, as well as the Tehran-owned Bank Sepah and the Revolutionary Guards.
The previous resolution outlawed Iran's trade of materials related to nuclear activities and froze the assets of those involved in the Middle Eastern country's uranium enrichment programme.
It had been thought that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would attend the UN meeting to defend his country's use of nuclear facilities and object to the sanctions yet the leader claims visa delays prevented the trip.
Mr Ahmadinejad asserts he could not land his private plane in New York for the vote as visas for the flight crew were delayed, a claim Washington has denied.
Iran failed to comply with the UN security council deadline to stop its uranium enrichment programme in February.
Tehran, however, has repeatedly denied that it is using its nuclear facilities for making weapons such as atomic bombs but for the peaceful production of nuclear energy.
Iran and the UK are currently locked in diplomatic dispute over the future of 15 captured soldiers.
UK officials say the soldiers onboard HMS Cornwall were carrying out routine duties in Iraqi waters while Tehran asserts the group were "illegally" in Iranian seas.