The Security Council voted unanimously December 23 to impose sanctions on Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment. The resolution, which was adopted with account taken of Russia's proposals, prohibits all programs related to nuclear weapons, but allows Iranian officials to travel abroad, and imposes no ban on Iranian companies' international trade.
According to Hosseini, the UN Security Council resolution will have no effect on the Islamic Republic's will to continue its peaceful nuclear activities.
Iran has been at the center of international concerns over its nuclear program, which some countries suspect is a covert program to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently denied the claims, and says it needs nuclear power for civilian purposes. Russia has consistently supported Tehran's right to nuclear power under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
At the same time, Hosseini said Tehran was prepared for the continuation of negotiations on its nuclear issue without any preconditions.
Hosseini also said Tehran did not intend to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the previous level after the UN Security Council vote and had no plans to impose a moratorium on its uranium enrichment program.
