Security Council

5973^rd Meeting* (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL HEARS BRIEFING BY CHAIRMAN OF 1737 (2006) COMMITTEE

ON IMPLEMENTATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN

 

The Security Council today heard the seventh quarterly briefing by the Chairman of the Committee established under Security Council resolution 1737 (2006) to monitor implementation of the sanctions imposed against Iran.

Committee Chairman Jan Grauls of Belgium told an open meeting that the figures concerning States that had presented reports under that text and related decisions were 89 reports under resolution 1737 (2006), 76 reports under resolution 1747 (2007) and 56 reports under resolution 1803 (2008).

Resolution 1737 (2006) banned trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology that could contribute to the country’s enrichment-related reprocessing or heavy-water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems.  In March 2007, the Council adopted resolution 1747, further tightening those sanctions by imposing a ban on arms sales and expanding a freeze on assets.

A further tightening of the sanctions regime occurred six months ago, when the Council adopted resolution 1803 (2008), which, among other things, calls upon all States to “exercise vigilance in the areas of publicly provided financial support for trade with Iran and of banking with Iran, particularly with respect to Bank Melli and Bank Saderat”.  Other measures include the inspection of cargo vessels suspected of carrying prohibited goods, and the extension of travel bans and asset freezes.

During today’s briefing, Mr. Grauls said the Committee had received a notification by a State under the relevant provisions of the resolutions to make or receive payments, or to authorize the unfreezing of funds.  It had also received a letter from one State informing the Committee of the delivery of items related to the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.

Providing an update on a matter concerning States reported to have announced a contravention of the export ban on arms and related materiel from Iran, he said the Committee had sent out requests for clarification, and had received a reply from the State that had reported the breach, explaining the situation and assuring the Council that it would continue fully to implement the resolutions.

He also reported that yesterday, 10 September, a member of the Committee had briefed his colleagues on its efforts to implement paragraph 10 of resolution 1803 (2008), in which the Council called upon all States to exercise vigilance over the engagement of financial institutions in their territories with all banks domiciled in Iran.

Following the briefing, representatives of the United States, France, Italy and the United Kingdom maintained that Iran continued to defy the demands of the Council that it cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  All States should also implement fully the provisions of the three resolutions, paying particular attention to those related to financial institutions.  The representative of the United States said his country had briefed the Committee on best practices towards that end.

The representatives of the Russian Federation and China, while also pledging compliance with the resolutions, emphasized the need to resolve the situation concerning Iran’s nuclear activities through peaceful diplomatic means.

Commenting on the provisions on financial institutions, the representative of the Russian Federation maintained that paragraph 10 of resolution 1803 (2008) was essentially a reminder of paragraph six of resolution 1737 (2006) and contained no new restrictions on dealings with credit organizations in Iran.  States had the right to determine their own vigilance with regard to that provision, keeping in mind the ultimate purpose of the resolution, which was the prevention of proliferation.

The meeting began at 10:15 a.m. and ended at 10:45 a.m.

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*     The 5972^nd Meeting was closed.

For information media • not an official record