Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo: Reuters
Iran: New sanctions draft barbaric
Tehran slams six powers' draft resolution calling for harsher punitive actions against Islamic Republic, says it proves US desires to resolve nuclear issue by force only
"Barbaric" – that is how Iran perceived the six powers' new draft resolution against it.
The draft, which is still pending the UN Security Council's approval, calls for a new series of punitive measures against Iranian banks and industries, as well as for the establishment of a maritime force, which will be tasked with inspecting vessels suspected of containing cargo related to Iran's nuclear or missile programs.
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Security Council discusses six powers' new sanctions draft, which calls for punitive action against Tehran's banks, industries, as well as for international maritime inspection force. Brazil shuns session; Turkey says Council should refocus efforts
Iranian National Security and Foreign Policy Commission spokesmen Kazem Jalali said Wednesday that the fact that the United States was insisting on imposing a new round of sanctions was "a type of modern barbarism."
Esmail Kowsari, deputy chairman of the Iranian National Security and Foreign Policy, said that the draft is a testament to the US and its allies' desire to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue by force only, and that the situation was "beyond negotiations."
The draft, he added, "Will have no impact on any nation, especially Iran." Kowsari, who was quoted by Iranian news agency ISNA, said that he knew of at least two nations within the six powers' forum which opposed it.
'Draft sets important precedent'
Ynet's senior security commentator Ron Ben-Yishai said that the draft resolution does not suggest imposing any new, harsh sanctions, but rather tightens existing sanctions, imposed as part of three previous Security Council decisions.The main change is the suggestion of sanctions against the Revolutionary Guards, and the article barring the use of energy revenue in favor of the nuclear program.
What sets the current sanctions draft apart, is that it creates a precedent which legitimizes unilateral steps by the West against Iran – outside the UN, which, in turn, could lead to the kind of sanctions Israel demands.
The importance of the resolution lies with that precedent: Should the draft mature into a resolution it would also serve as a counter measure to Iran's diplomatic antics, such as the fuel exchange deal it singed with Brazil and Turkey.
The West's message, which Russian and China support, is clear. The fact that the vote is still several weeks away, gives diplomacy another chance.
