Iran: defeat in UN Security Council unjust

AP: Iran says its failure to win a seat on the U.N. Security Council is an injustice. Japan defeated Iran in a secret ballot Friday to secure the non-permanent Asian seat on the Council.

The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran says its failure to win a seat on the U.N. Security Council is an injustice.

Japan defeated Iran in a secret ballot Friday to secure the non-permanent Asian seat on the Council. Japan won 158 votes while Iran got 32 votes.

Ten of the Security Council's 15 seats are filled by regional groups for two-year periods. The other five are held by veto-wielding permanent members.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi told reporters in Tehran on Monday that there was "no logical reason" for Japan to "monopolize" that seat. Japan has served ten times on the Council.

Iran is under U.N. sanctions for refusing to halt its uranium enrichment program.