The United Nations Security Council approved on Wednesday a new package of economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, international media reported.
Twelve members of the council's 15 members voted for the sanctions resolution, including Russia and China, with Turkey and Brazil voting against. Lebanon abstained.
The fourth round of sanctions will include tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo. They also impose an asset ban and a travel freeze on more than three dozen companies and individuals.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice praised the vote as a decisive move against Iran's nuclear program, which she called a "grave threat to international security."
"Until the world's concerns with Iran's nuclear defiance are fully resolved, we must work together to ensure that the sanctions in this resolution are fully and firmly implemented," she said.
Just before the vote, Brazilian and Turkish envoys explained why they opposed the measure. Brazil's ambassador said they would send the wrong signal.
Turkey and Brazil have brokered a deal in which Iran is to swap its uranium in Turkey for fuel to use in a Tehran research reactor.
The draft resolution was sponsored by the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said earlier this week that Tehran would pull out of international talks on its nuclear program if the sanctions were approved.
MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti)
