UN envoys: Iran sanctions vote could come Wednesday

Western nations are hoping the UN Security Council will be able to vote on Wednesday on a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, diplomats said.

Diplomats from Western countries were speaking to reporters on Monday after the 15-nation council held private talks on how to proceed with a sanctions resolution that is now almost ready for a vote after some five months of negotiations.

Monday's discussions were requested by Turkey and Brazil, two countries that have negotiated a nuclear fuel deal with Iran that they say obviates the need for sanctions.

Ankara and Brasilia had sought a full open meeting of the council to discuss Iran before a vote but eventually agreed there should be further closed-door consultations on Tuesday at ambassadorial level instead. The Western diplomats said they hoped the vote could take place the day after that.

"We'll have consultations tomorrow, another round," US Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters. Asked if the vote would take place this week, she nodded affirmatively.

Turkey, Brazil and Lebanon are not expected to vote for the resolution, but none of them has a veto. Western diplomats are expecting 12 countries, including all five veto-holding permanent council members, to vote for the measure, ensuring it will pass.

The draft sanctions resolution was the product of months of talks between the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia. The four Western powers had wanted tougher measures - some targeting Iran's energy sector - but Beijing and Moscow worked hard to dilute the proposed steps.

The draft resolution calls for measures against new Iranian banks abroad if a connection to Iran's nuclear or missile programs is suspected, as well as vigilance over transactions with any Iranian bank, including the central bank. It would also expand the UN arms embargo against Tehran.

Banning ballistic activity

The final version of the resolution, obtained by the Associated Press, would ban Iran from pursuing "any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons," bar Iranian investment in activities such as uranium mining, and prohibit Iran from buying several categories of heavy weapons including attack helicopters and missiles.

It did not include a list of new individuals and entities - including from Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard - that would be subject to sanctions, including an asset freeze. A council diplomat familiar with the negotiations said that the list, which was agreed to by the five veto-wielding permanent members, had been circulated to the 10 non-permanent members and was being kept open.

Diplomats say the exact timing of the vote depends on final agreement on annexes listing members of and firms controlled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, entities belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and other firms and individuals linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

"We're still working to get agreement on the annexes," a diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "It all depends on that."

Companies and individuals listed in the annexes will face asset freezes and international travel bans.

AP contributed to this report