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UNITED NATIONS: : The United Nations Security Council on Saturday unanimously voted to impose non-military sanctions on Iran for its failure to end its nuclear enrichment programme.

The watered down resolution prohibits supply of nuclear related technology to Iran, freezes assets of some individuals and entities connected with Tehran's nuclear programme and puts some limits on the travel of certain people.

The voting on the resolution, which has been in works for week, came after American President George Bush had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking Moscow's support for the measure.

While the American ambassador said it sent a strong signal to Iran for ending its uranium enrichment programme and abide by its obligation under the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty, his Russian counterpart stressed that the resolution does not provide for use of force, something on which Moscow had a major concern.

The resolution bans export to Iran of technology and materials that can help its uranium enrichment programme, reprocessing of spent fuel, heavy water reactors and ballistic missile system which could help deliver its nuclear weapons.

But it does not prohibit aid for light water reactors, one of which Russia is building at the cost of 800 million dollars.

Iranians say that their uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes but the United States and its western allies suspect that it is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

The resolution is under article 41 of Chapter 7 of the charter which makes its enforcement mandatory but limits enforcement to non military measures like sanctions.

Russia's Vitaly Churkin said the resolution sends a serious message to Iran regarding the need to more openly and accurately cooperate with the IAEA to lift or resolve the remaining concerns and questions relating to the nuclear programme.

United States acting UN Ambassador Alejandro Wolff warned Iran of serious repercussions if it continued to defy the international community. "If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to his body if Iran does not take further steps to comply."-PTI

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