Key European nations presented the UN Security Council with a retooled draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program, which includes the names of top Iranian officials and organizations that would be targeted by proposed sanctions. UN ambassadors said negotiators wanted to move swiftly on the draft, which would punish Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment and urge it to continue negotiations over its nuclear program. They said they anticipate a Security Council vote before the end of the year.
The draft resolution, which was circulated to Security Council members Friday, had been revised by France, Britain and Germany to try to satisfy changes sought by Russia - an Iranian ally and a veto-wielding member of the Security Council. The new draft specifies in greater detail exactly what materials and technology would be prohibited from being supplied to Iran for possible use in its nuclear and missile programs. The Russians and Chinese had previously complained that proposed sanctions were too broad. |