U.N. Council Puts New Sanctions On Iran

Security Council Unanimously Approves Tougher Sanctions Against Iran

(CBS/AP)  The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted to impose new sanctions against Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium — a move intended to show Tehran that defiance will leave it increasingly isolated.

Iran immediately rejected the sanctions Saturday and said it had no intention of suspending its enrichment program, prompting the United States to warn of even tougher penalties.

"The world must know — and it does — that even the harshest political and economic sanctions or other threats are far too weak to coerce the Iranian nation to retreat from their legal and legitimate demands," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told the Security Council after the vote. "Suspension is neither an option nor a solution."

The moderately tougher sanctions include banning Iranian arms exports, and freezing the assets of 28 people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

About a third of those are linked to the Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps.

"It's a significant international rebuke to Iran and it's a significant tightening of international pressure on Iran," said Nicholas Burns, undersecretary for political affairs at the State Department. If Iran does not comply, "there's no question" that the United States will seek a third and tougher resolution, he added.

"Despite initial resistance from several nations on the Security Council, the U.N. unanimously agreed to close ranks and ratchet up the pressure on Iran, imposing an assets freeze and prohibiting trade related to Iran's nuclear program," said CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk at the U.N.

In December, the 15-member Security Council ordered all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs. It also ordered a freeze on assets of 10 key Iranian companies and 12 individuals related to those programs. Iran responded by expanding enrichment.

Mottaki said Iran would return to negotiations over its nuclear program only if the United States and its European allies dropped the "unfair and unacceptable precondition" that it first suspend uranium enrichment.

But world powers held out hope that Iran would back down before the dispute escalated even further.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said nations involved in the dispute had tasked him to resume contacts with Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani "to see whether we can find a route to negotiations."

"The door to negotiations is open; I hope we can together find a way to go through it," Solana said in statement.

Burns said that because of a "tumultuous political environment" in Iran "we believe there is a faction inside that government that wishes to accept this offer to negotiate."

He was apparently referring to criticism from some in Iran that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's confrontational rhetoric has deepened the country's isolation.

[jdweymouth]

This is better than military confrontation, but I wouldn't rule out precision air strikes directed against Iranian military targets.

I wouldn't blame the U.S. for dithering on the visas: we have enough slime in the country already. (i.e.: liberal democrats!)

[karlimhof]

We'de better off sanctioning israel to give back the stolen lands to the their rightful owners, the Palestinians - then we'd have some peace- finally.

[zootallures2]

Instead of all this military action, just phtoshop out Ahmadinejad and paste in George Bush. We can add that EL AL owl thingy on their flag to ours in a corner or something. We like owls too.

[breceivemail]

So you should be waiting for a very cold winter.

[on_alert247]

Karlimhof,

So you think the Israeli "occupation" is the whole problem with peace in the middle east? It's interesting that Arabs have killed more Palestinians than have Israelis; remember black September and the incident which started the Lebanese Civil war? The Persians could give a rat's *** about Palestinians. There is only a shared sympathy which comes from their mutual hatred of Jews as preached in the Qur'an.

[one_american]

"We'de better off sanctioning israel to give back the stolen lands to the their rightful owners, the Palestinians - then we'd have some peace- finally."
Posted by karlimhof at 02:59 PM : Mar 24, 2007

Bloody ignorant.

That's like giving a shark a taste of your hand to try to make him go away.

And, by the way, Israel did not "steal" anyone's land - if the Palestinians had not attacked Israel, they wouldn't have lost their land.

Too late for them, now.

[hypnotoad72]

I'm surprised some people think Iran is a good country with noble intentions. Ever since the Islamic 'revolution' of 1979 they've been... less than friendly.

Some say Iran's leader's comment of blowing Israel off the map is a lie and the real translation reads 'The regime occupying Israel must vanish from the pages of history' seems little different when all is said and done. It still doesn't sound like the picnic in a park some loonies want it to be. Iran's a legitimate threat, which is regrettable but enemies happen.

jdweymouth - what visas and for whom? With the number of people who could be better used, it's silly to bring in more people from outside -- particularly if they have any hidden agendas.

[down-ndirty]

"...we have enough slime in the country already. (i.e.: liberal democrats!)" Posted by jdweymouth

waymouthey: What about all the slime that's been occupying the White House for the past six years? You and bush and coulter would like it better if we lived in a dictatorship.

[down-ndirty]

"We'de better off sanctioning israel to give back the stolen lands to the their rightful owners, the Palestinians - then we'd have some peace- finally." Posted by karlimhof

There won't be lasting peace in the middle east until the Israelis move back into the 1967 borders they agreed to in the Oslo and Camp David accords. The Palestinians are prisoners in their own land.

[zootallures2]

What about all those Mossad in the US and A around 9/11? 5 were dancing and singing "Someone is dropping bom-bombs, dropping bom-bombs, is it the Russians or the USA?" It's a big hit in Qatar. Top 40!

Yes, not only should Israel go back to the 67 borders, but they and the Palestinians could make more money bringing the war to the US cinima!

BTW I like 67 Camaros too. 427 nice!

[down-ndirty]

"And, by the way, Israel did not "steal" anyone's land - if the Palestinians had not attacked Israel, they wouldn't have lost their land." Posted by One_American

one_stupid_American: What is your source for that comment? Or is it something you heard on the Limpballs show?

[noaanhc]

I wish the old world war 2 allied nations would join forces once again,US,England,Canada,France, China,Russia,Australia,along with the rest of the free world and once and for all invade Iran and oust that repressive and dangerous regime and free the Iranian people.That nation has been the root of most of the terrorism in our world since 1979 and it is way past time we put an end to this.We did this with Germany,Italy and Japan
and they became free democratic nations.
Sadly though,that kind of military force that saved the world in the 1940s will never happen.
With a army of 10-20 million soldiers,we could do a proper occupation of Iran instead of the horrible mess we have now in Iraq.

[madhatter50-2009]

What is wrong with the world? Of course, the first thing we should do is stop supplying Iran with money and equipment to produce a nuclear weapon. I think a big, "DUH," is appropriate at this point.

[hillaryin08]

Ok liberals/democrats here we go again. 12 years of sanctions against Saddam didnt work and now your lovers in the UN are ramping up the pressure on Iran. Who do you think will enforce this? Thats right, the good old USA............When it comes time to fight, the UN will back out like they did in 2003 and you hypocrits will side with the enemy for political gain again!

[radiob-2009]

hillaryin08 Read the Chathman House report on the possibility of a military strike by the US or Israel. It was paid for by the British Government.It is in pdf. format and takes about a 1/2 hour to read.

http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/pdf/research/mep/BPisraeliran.pdf

[j-whitman]

, I saw a CNN reporter in Iran take a ride to
poor neiborhood, the driver wanted to show how the poor is being neglected.. He said he works 11 hours a day for nothing to show for it....
. It could have been America, same poor conditions... I can remember working 2 jobs for little show, here in California not long ago, about 12 hours a day..
. I consider myself part of the middle class... We say the same about our President,, Bush lied to us & we just aren't that better off... Same as them.

[j-whitman]

Doesn't sound like much of a sancition, does it ??

[themooniac]

down-ndirty: the Arabs attacked Israel twice in my lifetime in 1967 and 1973 and they got their a$$'s handed to them both times. Thats how they end up losing more of their land and thats why the Jews wanted a bufferzone. I don't need a source for that - I lived it. Read your history before you post.

[j-whitman]

didntinhale,,
, We can agree no nation needs nuc's.. But, you have to look at the facts,, Isreal has nuc's, Pakistan has nuc's, India has nuc's,, thanks to us....
.. I'm not anti-war, but, shouldn't we be trying a better approach ??? Maybe, learn how to show them how that no one's threatening them, & we all want to work for peace & the end of terrorism ???

[j-whitman]

didntinhale,,
, We are dealing with religious fanatics here in America that believe they are the real evil in the world --- Notice the similarity of the logic between you & them ????

[j-whitman]

Didn't say you where, I'm certainly not.. But, look at some of these people here,, If Bush told them there was no Holocaust, You couldn't convince them otherwise, even with pictures, they think he's God.

Good night, nice talking to you,, I'm missing a good Sci-Fi movie.

[wolf563]

OK lets say that IRAN gives in and opens the door for inspections and we find out that tey were building a nuke . WHAT THEN???????????

[randalds]

Sadly though,that kind of military force that saved the world in the 1940s will never happen.
With a army of 10-20 million soldiers,we could do a proper occupation of Iran instead of the horrible mess we have now in Iraq.
Posted by noaanhc at 08:41 PM : Mar 24, 2007

That kind of war can not happen in the nuclear age. More then 20 million people died during WWII and it was a world wide struggle to throw off the threat of right wing Nazism. These days it couldn't happen without one of the many nations involved that have nuclear weapons using them. Besides unlike many I'm not pining away for another world world that might kill 100 million this time, instead of 20 million last time.

[breceivemail]

The world should learn from Iran, the lesson of opposition to the dictatorship of few imperialistic countries which are known for everybody. Few countries which have a violent, rapacious and barbarian history.
Our country has started a new movement toward a campaign against imperialism and unilateralism.

[hillaryin08]

Ok liberals/democrats here we go again. 12 years of sanctions against Saddam didnt work and now your lovers in the UN are ramping up the pressure on Iran. Who do you think will enforce this? Thats right, the good old USA............When it comes time to fight, the UN will back out like they did in 2003 and you hypocrits will side with the enemy for political gain again!

[djermano1]

Sanctions do not work. Better to give them money and help them get nuclear energy, in exchange for oil. What's wrong with that? They don't want war, only Bush does.

[tbweb]

The world was warned, and the world was warned repeatedly not to let Iran develop a nuclear weapon. So now when Iran test its first nuclear device and laughs in the worlds face, the world should not be upset when Israel, the U.S. or maybe even now Britain nukes Iran off the map before Iran develops its nuke weapons further! The world will not be able to cry foul later! These sanctions have no real teeth.

[karlimhof]

It's disheartening to see how many "nuke iran" fanatics we have and I truely hope you're all a fringe lunatic minority.

Justice should be a principle every country understands.

When Iran claims her right to nuclear technology citing israel's possession of numerous nuclear weapons - iran has made a point.

What control do we have over israeli nulear weapons? What guarantees do we possess that she will not use them? What actions has israel undertaken since 1967 to prove to us and the world that she is responsible? By the attack on Lebanon?

Sorry to say, again, if the abscess created by israel in the ME since 1967 is not properly treated, and the UN resolutions 242 & 338 are not enforced by the US & UN - there can be no justice only continued conflict.

[formrusmcsgt]

I agree with karlimhof. It is inherently unjust for the Security Council to impose sanctions on a country that has not even been found to be engaged in the attempted production of nuclear weapons.

Iran's activities to date are as applicable, in fact mandatory, to peaceful applications as they claim they are pursuing.

[tuckerndfw]

The US whining that the "international community" opposes Iran is idiotic.

The "international community" opposes the Bush administration and US sponsored aggressions in the Middle East and elsewhere.

[tuckerndfw]

When Iran claims her right to nuclear technology citing israel's possession of numerous nuclear weapons - iran has made a point.

. . .

Sorry to say, again, if the abscess created by israel in the ME since 1967 is not properly treated, and the UN resolutions 242 & 338 are not enforced by the US & UN - there can be no justice only continued conflict.


Posted by karlimhof at 06:59 AM : Mar 25, 2007

Perhaps this is the primary reason Israel is allowed to violate UN resolutions with impunity:

"Since 1982, the US has vetoed 32 Security Council resolutions critical of Israel, more than the total number of vetoes cast by all the other Security Council members."[9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council


And, in large part why "terrorists" chose (choose) to target the US.

It appears the US is responsible for producing the same "terrorists" upon which Bush claims to be "waging war."

[radiob-2009]

Read the Chathman House report on the possibility or a attack on Iran by either the US or Israel. It is in pdf. format,and paid for by the British Government.

http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/pdf/research/mep/BPisraeliran.pdf

[tuckerndfw]

Now Bush will get his $15/gal gas.

Posted by billysmith6 at 08:03 AM : Mar 25, 2007

The "war on terror" was initiated, promoted by and is being carried out for the direct benefit of US & UK oil companies and other war profiteers.

The only thing being protected by the Bush administration are Bush & his war profiteering cronies' family trust funds.

ExxonMobil has been reporting record profits since the "war on terror" began.

Operation Stupid Americans succeeded beyond their wildest expectations.

Mission accomplished.

[pwrslm]

The "war on terror" was initiated, promoted by and is being carried out for the direct benefit of US & UK oil companies and other war profiteers.
Posted by tuckerndfw at 08:14 AM : Mar 25, 2007

This is no less true than Hitlers claim that Germans were the master race.

Ignorance does not fight evil, only the truth does that. Do you represent this as the truth? There are no facts to support the claim, and it is nothing more than political rhetoric.

Iran is a nation that has called for the destruction of the only Jewish nation in the world. Iran has developed missle technology that is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Anyone who opposes the Ayatollah and his mullahs are imprisoned, sentenced to death, and executed with sham trials. Irans non-muslim populations have diminished to almost nothing, all other faiths have been persecuted, enslaved, or fled the vicious Islamic Government now running Iran.

Sure, you can defend them. But they wont change. All the lies in the world will not change them. They percieve thier lies to the non-muslim as honorable, the Islamic Republic (?) of Iran is nothing more than a totalitarian religious state run by tyrants.

[crater7]

END IRAN'S NUKE QUEST:
Simple, The United Nations, can start by forcing Countries, like Israel, Pakistan, India, and of course N. Korea, to give up their nukes. This would create a situation where Iran, would no longer need their nukes.
Each country would be protected by countries that share their political interest. Iran, would be protected by Russia, India and Pakistan, would be protected by the good ole USA, and of course China would protect N. Korea.

What we have now, are a good old fashion COLD WAR between the Super powers.

Result:
BUSH, can still invade helpless countries, and install his puppet Democracies. Putin, can still support, the countries that Bush is trying to invade. China, can still support and arm all countries that the U S, and Russia, are invading, or trying to protect.
Now, HOW GOOD IS THAT? THE WORLDS PROBLEMS ARE SLOVED.

[karlimhof]

Iran is a nation that has called for the destruction of the only Jewish nation in the world.

They percieve thier lies to the non-muslim as honorable, the Islamic Republic (?) of Iran is nothing more than a totalitarian religious state run by tyrants.

Posted by pwrslm

Your first point is incorrect: Iran called for the "zionist regime to be pushed into the sea"
The anti-iranian, english-farsi translation forgot to mention that the english idiom "wipe off the face of the earth" does not exist in Farsi.

I offer you this free-of-charge and remind you that there are forces at work determined to form your opinion - before drinking the koolaid (i know it's easier!) - at least do the minimum due diligence.

Regarding the totalitarian religious state - be advised this is a two-way street. I see perfectly normal, functioning Americans being graduated from the "terrorist" hating class, to the "muslim" hating class. Worrying to say the least.

Have you asked yourself where is this religious state you mentioned? Could we be creating, or allowing ourselves to be formed as, a religiously intolerant Nation?

Beware of those pointing the finger to a faceless foe - "we won't be fooled again!"

[karlimhof]

Iran is a nation that has called for the destruction of the only Jewish nation in the world.
Posted by pwrslm


oh, I forgot to add, the Jewish nation you mention, is not CALLING for the destruction -

but ENACTING the destruction today, before your eyes, without your sympathy, maybe even without your knowledge -

the destruction is that of the Palestinian people
who have been enduring the onslaught of the jews since 1948.

Instead of ruffling your feathers about some name-calling, turn your eyes towards to real horror, if you've the courage and the honesty.

[epiker-2009]

karlimhof,

Oh so Iran said to "drive the Jews into the sea" not "wipe them out," well that changes everything. lol (and don't try to play that stupid word game with israelis/jews and zionists-we know they're the same thing so ****).

You're not fooling anyone-even the lunatic left is starting to realize muslims are behind 95% of the terrorism in the world today. Not to mention the Jihad against Europe/Israel and the West in general.

Here's what your mass murdering, pedophile 'prophet' taught you:

"I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them" (Quran, Surah 8:12)

You warn of religious intolerance, yet leave out the vile hatred and intolerance taught by Islam against us "non-believers." It is your backwards, savage religion that is causing all these problems today.

I look forward to the day when the West finally wakes up from its state of confusion and denial of your death cult and like Nazism, works tireless to eradicate Islam and anyone that defends it.

[karlimhof]

Oh so Iran said to "drive the Jews into the sea" not "wipe them out," well that changes everything. lol (and don't try to play that stupid word game with israelis/jews and zionists-we know they're the same thing so ****).

Posted by epiker at

"we" know they're the same thing?" Well, it certainly nice to know I can converse with a "zionist-israeli-jew" who "knows".

The translation is not a word game - "wipe israel off the face of the earth" is simply not the same, especially if one is trying to implicate Iran is some kind of nuclear plot to attack defenseless israel, as "push the zionist regime into the sea". The zionist regime being the right-wing israeli neocons, not the other 70% of the israeli population who wants peace with Palistine (meaning they accept UN242&338).

But of course, as Feith & Wolfowitz & Perle all know, you have to "find" the evidence to support your claims!

95% of terrorism is caused by israel's refusal to return the lands stolen from Palestinians since 1967. Peace = justice, injustice = terrorism.

[karlimhof]

It appears the US is responsible for producing the same "terrorists" upon which Bush claims to be "waging war."

Posted by tuckerndfw


Absolutely - what is amazing is how few terrorists we've created considering all the direct or indirect "interventions" our successive administrations have invloved us in (many without our knowlege for years).

It would seem to logical that a terrorist doesn't just wakeup one morning and decide to blow up a bus - his motivation is the key.

The most well-known motivation for terror is the israeli refusal to return the land it has taken from the Palestinians. Honestly, even OBL cited the Palestinian situation as one of his reasons for jihad (beside our military bases in their holy land S.A.).

So if we remove this injustice from motivational list of potential terrorists, we've solved a major part of the problem to "world terrorism".

[tbweb]

The pro-Iran forces here do make interesting arguments, the problem is those arguments only stand up when taken by themselves, but once you look at Iran as a whole and consider all of Irans deeds, those pro-Iran arguments look silly! For example if I argue that Iran discriminates against people, the pro-Iran forces will argue that Iran only discriminates against women and not men, so since Iran doesn't discriminate against all people, only women, the pro-Iran forces will say my argument is not valid! Iran discriminating against women is acceptable since Iran crime doesn't fit nice and neat into the people definition. If Iran is bad in 5 areas out of 10, you can't say Iran is okay because Iran is not bad in your area of interest! Look at Iran as a whole and judge Iran in that context!

[diplomacy3]

In fact all these sanctions and pressures against Iran would ultimately result in a premature birth of a nuclear bomb. They are staying their course of building whatever they have planned. UNSC sanctions and meetings etc. are just a waste of time and energy.

If Pakistan which is not an oil-producing country could survive sanctions and join the nuclear club, Iran would be at ease to do it without any problem. During the past 3 years there has been no change in the attitude of Iran. The world powers will have to hug Iran as a nuclear power in the coming years.

[karlimhof]

didntinhale

flippancy and cynicism are the expressions of indolence -

continue ignoring injustice at your own risk..

[tbweb]

--diplomacy3

tuckerndfw argues that some want to nuke Iran. Even you say that Iran may soon join the nuclear club. I argue that Iran has told the world Iran only wants nuclear power for electricity. Iran is making a big deal about only wanting nuclear power for electricity and peaceful means and claims the world is wrong about Irans intentions! If Iran does give birth to a nuclear bomb after telling lies about only wanting nuclear power for electricity then I think Iran deserves to be nuked under those conditions! Nuked for deception and lying!! Everyone knows Iran is lying!

[karlimhof]

I also feel bad that there are not more terrorists if we had a few more attacks on our homeland maybe the left would finally be willing to get on board and root for the hometeam.

Posted by didntinhale (but should - may help)

that is an idea you share with the neocon world (where did they all go recently?) - and the bas tards would like nothing better.

[diplomacy3]

tbweb:.....For example if I argue that Iran discriminates against people, the pro-Iran forces will argue that Iran only discriminates against women and not men...

I am no-pro-Iran. If I understand your comments correctly, I would like to add that its not discrimination against women in Iran. In fact, call it a tradition or a religious aspect that women should not have an active participation in the Middle Eastern society. Mostly, they are expected to confine to their household. In Saudi Arabia, same situation or perhaps even worse. Women are not allowed to drive, if I am not wrong. In Iran shaking hand with a woman is prohibited. A woman must have a veil and must not have an eye contact with a guy.

[radiob-2009]

I also feel bad that there are not more terrorists if we had a few more attacks on our homeland maybe the left would finally be willing to get on board and root for the hometeam.

Posted by didntinhale (but should - may help)


A poor attempt at humour in bad taste.

[karlimhof]

Everyone knows Iran is lying!
Posted by tbweb


I can't say yet Iran is lying. Unless I accept de facto what Bush & israel say, which I'm not inclinded to do at this moment.

Iran is grandstanding and provoking, not threatening - holy cow! (no religious pun intended) but we just attacked and invaded Iran's neighbor, seems logical that she would not sit quietly by without a word....

[diplomacy3]

....Iran is making a big deal about only wanting nuclear power for electricity and peaceful means and claims the world is wrong about Irans intentions!

I meant mounting pressures and sanctions against Iran could reveal the intentions of West against Iran for something that's not born yet. Such pressure could lead Iran turn its peaceful program into a "dirty bomb".

It is the West that's has suspicions about Iran's nuclear peaceful program. Staying course means Iran wants nuclear power for electricity. But unfortunately that is being interpreted as a "nuclear bomb". We are treating Iran as if it already has a nuclear bomb. Can't we stop it when it actually tests one. In fact, its nearest neighbor, Russia is there which is building Iran's Busher nuclear plant. Can't we trust Russia?

[tbweb]

--diplomacy3

Russia is in it for the money! The Russians don't want to see a nuclear Iran either! In fact the Russians appear to be re-thinking finishing the Iran nuclear project since Iran is not paying on time or at least the way Moscow expects. You trust Iran it seems. Would you let Iran baby sit your kid if you had one? What would the Iranians teach your kid? Would you even get your kid back the way you left it? I would suggest that when you got your kid back it would be brainwashed saying things like "Death to diplomacy3!!" At a time when so much is going on, Iran ups the ante and captures 15 British Sailors and makes things even worst, right on the eve of a U.N. sanction vote, convince me there are not traces of insanity present in Iranian logic! LOL