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TOKYO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan said Sunday that it appreciated the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

"Japan is strongly concerned about the current situation concerning Iran's nuclear issue, and considers it necessary to address this issue in a resolute manner in view of the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime..." Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in a statement.

The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Security Council on Saturday, demanded that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related projects."

The resolution also called on all states to impose a ban on trade with Iran in goods related to its nuclear programs and ballistic missile delivery systems.

Japan wishes that the Iran nuclear issue can be resolved peacefully through negotiations and "strongly expects" that Iran will abide by the requirements of the resolution, Aso said.

BERLIN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Germany welcomed a resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council on Saturday to impose sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Security Council, demanded that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related projects."

Iran defies UN resolution, vowing to continue nuclear plans

TEHRAN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Saturday defied a UN Security Council resolution that imposes sanctions on Tehran as an "illegal measure," vowing to push ahead with its nuclear plans.

Ordinary Iranians showed mixed feelings toward the resolution, with some considering it as "waging a war" and others shrugging it off as nothing serious.

UN Security Council unanimously passes resolution on Iran sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to pass a resolution imposing sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear activities.

The resolution, which followed weeks of negotiations, demanded that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related projects."

It also called on all states to impose a ban on trade with Iran in goods related to its nuclear programs and ballistic missile delivery systems.

U.S. wants more int'l action on Iran

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Saturday that the U.N. Security Council resolution on Iran is not enough, urging the international community to take more action against the Islamic country.

"We don't think this resolution is enough in itself. We want the international community to take further action," U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said after the U.N. Security Council passed the resolution on Iran for its defiance over its nuclear program.