WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States welcomed Monday a UN vote to tighten sanctions on Iran, hoping it will make Tehran stop sensitive nuclear work and enter negotiations with Washington and other powers.
The United States is "pleased to see the Security Council has recognized the continuing threat posed by Iran's nuclear program through this vote on additional sanctions," the State Department's deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
In New York, the UN Security Council voted overwhelmingly to tighten UN sanctions on Iran in its latest bid to pressure Tehran into suspending uranium enrichment.
The United States hopes the vote "will encourage Iran to change its behavior and to do what is required of it, including suspending its uranium enrichment activities and entering into negotiations with the P5-plus-1," Casey told AFP.
The P5-plus-1 refers to negotiations involving the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China -- which make up the five permanent member of the UN Security Council -- plus Germany.
The negotiations have aimed at punishing Iran with sanctions for spurning UN calls to stop enriching uranium or at offering Tehran incentives in echange for halting its controversial nuclear work.
The West fears the know-how gained from uranium enrichment could give Iran the capability to build nuclear weapons.
But the Islamic republic, which adamantly refuses to halt enrichment work, insists its nuclear program is peaceful and geared only toward production of electricity.
Gordon Johndroe, the National Security Council spokesman, hoped Iran would understand the UN message.
"The international community has spoken with one voice again today," Johndroe said.
"Iran has a choice to make: it can reap the benefits of cooperation with the rest of the world or it can continue to isolate itself and suffer the consequences of the additional sanctions imposed by the United Nations," he said.
Resolution 1803, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, was backed by 14 of the council's 15 members. Indonesia abstained during the vote which was presided by Russia, the council chair for March.
Libya, South Africa and Vietnam joined Indonesia in expressing reservations about this third set of sanctions against the Islamic Republic but decided to vote in favor in the end.
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