February 25, 2008	Monday	Safar 17, 1429

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24: A standoff in the 15 -member UN Security Council over Iran’s nuclear programme would come to a head next week when the council would consider additional sanctions to force Tehran to halt its enrichment programme.

France and the United Kingdom formally introduced a third set of sanctions against Iran to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday evening, prompting some member states to say no action should be taken before the release next week of a report from the nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

However, they said they would leave it open for “further substantive comments” from other Council members next week before pushing for a vote starting next week .

The new sanctions resolution would, for the first time, authorise inspections of cargo on aircraft and vessels, particularly those owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo and Iran’s Shipping Line.

The new measure would also ban all trade and supply of so-called dual-use items, materials and technologies that can have both civilian and military uses.