Vote on Iran sanctions resolution expected this month
ASTANA. June 3. KAZINFORM The UN Security Council could adopt a draft resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran soon if the United States and its allies were to decide to make the move within the next 10 days, the council president said Wednesday, Kazinform refers to Trend News.
Mexican Ambassador Claude Heller said the final text could be ready "very soon," but it all depends on the United States to call for a vote.
"My understanding is that the sponsors would want prompt action within the next 10 days," said Heller, who holds the council's rotating presidency in June.
US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters in Washington that final work was being done on the resolution and that it will be voted on by June 20 or 21.
"We see that date on the horizon and we expect to meet that objective," he said.
Heller said negotiations had made further progress on the draft that was now being circulated among other nations on the council.
The text was being studied by the council's legal experts, which is a formal procedure to check the legality of international sanctions and language. Those experts belong to the council's 15 members and negotiations may tighten or water down the language.
The US and other permanent members - Russia, China, France and Britain - plus Germany have been leading the sanctions against Iran as that country continues to reject international demands to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment programme.
The additional sanctions would include measures against Iran's banks, cargo ships and the Revolutionary Guard because of their alleged involvement in the country's nuclear programme, Kazinform cites Trend News. See www.en.trend.az for full version.