U.N. adds third layer to Iran sanctions

Washington Post: The U.N. Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran in an attempt to curtail the country’s nuclear ambitions, but U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran through tough, broad U.N. resolutions have yielded relatively incremental measures that mainly target Iran’s most sensitive nuclear activities. The Washington Post

Tuesday, March 4, 2008; A15

The U.N. Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions against Iran in an attempt to curtail the country’s nuclear ambitions, but U.S. efforts to isolate Tehran through tough, broad U.N. resolutions have yielded relatively incremental measures that mainly target Iran’s most sensitive nuclear activities.

Resolution 1737

(Dec. 23, 2006)

– Imposes travel and financial restrictions on 22 Iranian individuals and entities linked to the nuclear program.

– Requires states to prevent the export of sensitive nuclear-related equipment and expertise to Iran.

– Bars training of Iranian nationals abroad that could be applied to the nuclear program.

– Requires Iran to broaden cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and demands that it halt banned nuclear activities within 60 days.

Vote: 15-0

Resolution 1747

(March 26, 2007)

Bans all Iranian arms exports and expands an asset freeze to include 25 individuals and entities linked to Iran’s nuclear and military agencies.

– Targets individuals and entities linked to Iran’s military role in the Middle East, including commanders from the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

– Threatens additional penalties against Iran if it fails to suspend its nuclear program within 60 days.

Vote: 15-0

Resolution 1803

(March 3, 2008)

– Imposes travel ban on five individuals involved in Iran’s most sensitive nuclear efforts and imposes travel and financial restrictions on 24 others.

– Bans trade of critical nuclear-related materials and calls on states to ensure Iranian banks are not financing key nuclear activities.

– Authorizes inspections of cargo to and from Iran if there are “reasonable grounds” to suspect prohibited materials.

Threatens to impose “further appropriate measures” against Iran if it fails to halt sensitive activities within 90 days.

Vote: 14-0 (Indonesia abstained)