Chinese envoy: New UN resolution aims to reactivate diplomatic efforts on Iran

    UNITED NATIONS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The new UN Security Council resolution on Iran is not aimed at punishing Iran, but urging Tehran to return to the negotiating table and thus to reactivate anew round of diplomatic efforts, Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said here Monday.

    The 15-member Security Council adopted Resolution 1803 with a vote of 14-0. Indonesia abstained from endorsing the document, which calls for travel restrictions and bans for more Iranians; an expansion of asset freezes; curbs on dual-use items, export credit; financial monitoring; cargo inspections on aircraft and vessels; and possible "next steps." Full story

Iran says new UN resolution to make nuclear issue "further complicated"

    TEHRAN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian nuclear official said on Monday that a new UN Security Council resolution against Tehran over its nuclear program would make the issue "further complicated," the official IRNA news agency reported.

    "Any irrational, illogical and unjudicial behavior will not only fail to solve Iran's nuclear issue but will also make related equations further complicated and tougher," Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Saeedi was quoted as saying. Full story

U.S. welcomes new U.N. sanctions on Iran 

    WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States welcomed the UN Security Council resolution adopted to tighten sanctions on Iran on Monday and urged Teheran to change its behavior.

    The United States is pleased to see the UN Security Council has recognized "the continuing threat" posed by Iran's nuclear program through the new resolution, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. Full story