AJC Welcomes New UN Security Council Sanctions Resolution on Iran

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Jun 09, 2010, 04:56 ET

NEW YORK, June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomed the UN Security Council adoption today of a new sanctions resolution aimed at stopping Iran from developing nuclear-weapons capability.

The vote in favor was 12, including all five permanent members of the council, while Brazil and Turkey voted no and Lebanon abstained.

"The UN Security Council has sent another clear message that the world strongly opposes an Iran with nuclear weapons," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

"We salute President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton for their determined diplomatic efforts to mobilize near unanimous support in the Security Council. This critical measure, while not as tough as some would have wished, is another important step in isolating Iran for its defiance of the international community," said Harris.

"At the same time, we are deeply disappointed that both Brazil and Turkey voted against the resolution and thus sought to undermine the international consensus. Other nations will have to draw the appropriate conclusions."

This UN Security Council resolution strengthens existing economic and military sanctions in three previous resolutions. It targets the head of Iran's atomic energy agency, and 40 entities linked to the nation's military elite, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with a travel ban and an asset freeze. The sanctions also require countries to inspect ships or planes headed to or from Iran if they suspect banned cargo is aboard.

"If Iran continues its posture of defiance, ignoring the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency, we will look to the U.S., EU member states, and other like-minded nations to build on this latest resolution and take additional measures," said Harris. "We also urge the UN to monitor carefully compliance with the latest sanctions and ensure there is no breach by any country. There can be no higher priority for regional and global security than seeking to stop the Iranian march to nuclear-weapons capability."

http://www.ajc.org/

SOURCE American Jewish Committee