The United States welcomes the unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution seventeen-thirty-seven, which imposes sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities as required under U-N Security Council Resolution sixteen-ninety-six, which passed last July.
Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, the acting U.S. representative to the U-N, says, "Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capability constitutes a grave threat":
"We are placing Iran in a small category of states under Security Council sanctions, and sending Iran an unambiguous message that there are serious repercussions to its continued disregard of its obligations and defiance of this body."
The resolution requires Iran to suspend all of its uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, and heavy-water-related activities and prohibits U-N members from supplying Iran with equipment that could contribute to those programs. It also prohibits other countries from providing to Iran technical assistance, training, or financial aid that could aid in the development of nuclear weapons.
Resolution seventeen-thirty-seven requires all states to freeze the assets of any person, company or organization that plays a significant role in Iran's nuclear or missile programs. And it requires all states to notify the U-N sanctions committee of international travel by individuals involved in Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. If Iran fails to comply with the resolution by February 21st, 2007, the Security Council will then consider the adoption of additional sanctions.
In a written release, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. "call[s] on all countries to take immediate action to implement their obligations under this resolution. The Iranian government, through its own actions, has further isolated itself and the Iranian people from the international community."
"This resolution," said Secretary of State Rice, "is a strong signal to the government of Iran that it should accept its international obligations, suspend its sensitive nuclear activities, and accept the negotiations path that the U.S. and its Security Council partners offered six months ago."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.