The result of two months of negotiation, the resolution orders all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs. It also would freeze Iranian assets of key companies and individuals related to those programs.
If Iran refuses to comply, the resolution warns Iran that the council will adopt further nonmilitary sanctions.
The Iranian government immediately rejected the resolution, vowing in a statement from Tehran to continue enriching uranium and saying it "has not delegated its destiny to the invalid decisions of the U.N. Security Council."
The Bush administration said it hopes the resolution will clear the way for tougher measures by individual countries, particularly Russia.
We'll see if we can use this broad but weak condemnation to get individual countries to impose santions that hurt.
While I think little of this first baby step, perhaps in combination with growing internal dissent, this will show Iranians that their leaders have offended even the hard-to-offend international community of fellow thug states who water down what democracies might do on our own.
And if there is any revolt in Iran, having the international community's disapproval--no matter how mildly it is expressed--might help to delegitimize Ahmadinejad's government and make a revolt easier. And if we have our justifications for overthrowing the mullah regime lined up--like this--perhaps the mullah regime's days are numbered:
A federal judge ruled yesterday that Iran is responsible for the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing and ordered that the government pay $254 million to the families of 17 Americans who died in the attack in Saudi Arabia.
Hey, I know I'm reaching here. But the situation is grave and I have no idea how we are going to solve the Iran problem. At some level I have to rely on my gut feeling that we really are working to nail this charter member of the Axis of Evil.
