Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Apr. 30 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would resist United Nations Security Council sanctions over its controversial nuclear activities.

“The Iranian nation will as in the past stand firm against any threat or sanction”, Khamenei said in the southern city of Shiraz. His comments were reported by state radio/television and news agencies.

“[Iran] will turn any threat by the enemies into an opportunity to continue its advancements”, he added. “Do not try to scare this great nation with threats of an economic blockade”.

“We have become the primary power in the region”, Khamenei said, adding that Tehran was “not afraid” of sanctions.

The UN Security Council voted in March to impose a third set of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt its suspected nuclear weapons activity. A European-sponsored resolution was adopted at the 15-member Council by 14 votes in favour, none opposed, and one abstention from Indonesia.

Resolution 1803 increased the mild trade bans in effect on Iran to include certain goods with both civilian and military uses. Under the new sanctions, certain Iranian companies and banks will have their accounts frozen, and goods entering and leaving Iran must be subjected to inspections.

The Security Council previously imposed two sets of milder sanctions on Tehran in December 2006 and March 2007 over its refusal to halt its uranium enrichment activities which the West suspects is part of a nuclear weapons program.

The latest sanctions resolution was initially agreed on 22 January by the UN P5+1 states – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - and then slightly adjusted to suit the other 10 non-Permanent Members of the Security Council. Resolution 1803 builds on resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747. Resolutions 1737 and 1747 imposed sanctions on Tehran.

The P5+1 are to meet in London on Friday to discuss the best course of action to convince Tehran to end its nuclear defiance.

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