January 27, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 17, 1429

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 26: Proposed new UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme call for mandatory travel bans and asset freezes for specific Iranian officials and vigilance on all banks in Iran, according to a draft text.

The text of “elements” of a third round of sanctions, obtained on Friday, was agreed on by Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Russia and China and will be the basis of a resolution intended for the Security Council to pass in the next few weeks.

Western powers had to soften some proposed measures to meet Chinese and Russian demands. But European Union and US diplomats said they were the latest step in a gradual expansion of sanctions against Iran and would almost certainly be followed by further penalties if Tehran remained defiant.

Foreign ministers of the five permanent Security Council members and Germany agreed on the outline in Berlin on Tuesday and their text was circulated on Friday to the 10 non-permanent council members.

Western countries say Iran’s refusal to stop enriching uranium supports their suspicion that Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful and has ignored repeated UN demands that it cease enrichment.

“It’s a strong draft proposal which demonstrates the continuity of the approach of the international community,” said France’s UN ambassador, Jean-Maurice Ripert.—Reuters