Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced earlier in the day that the Islamic Republic would not succumb to pressure from the international community and would continue implementing its nuclear program. He also said the country had started nuclear fuel production on an industrial level.
The spokesperson quoted Ban Ki-moon as saying that Tehran should refrain from engaging in sensitive activities and should comply with UN resolutions.
Ahmadinejad's statement coincided with the start of a session of a disarmament commission at the UN headquarters, which is also to discuss nuclear non-proliferation issues.
Since Iran resumed uranium enrichment in January 2006, the country has been the focus of international concerns, as some Western countries, particularly the U.S., suspect Tehran is pursuing a covert weapons program. But Tehran has consistently claimed it needs nuclear power for civilian power generation and is fully entitled to its own nuclear program.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously March 24 to impose new sanctions against the Islamic Republic for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
The new resolution was passed following Tehran's refusal to comply with the previous resolution adopted December 23, 2006.
The new resolution freezes the foreign accounts of 13 companies and 15 individuals involved in uranium enrichment and missile development projects, imposes visa restrictions and bans arms exports from Iran. It also threatens new sanctions if Iran does not comply with the resolution within 60 days, and urges the Islamic Republic to return to negotiations.
