Clinton: Big Powers Agree on Iran Sanctions Resolution

18 May 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, 18 May 2010, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the new START Treaty

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States and other major powers have agreed on a draft resolution for new U.N. sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The announcement came a day after Iran accepted a Brazilian and Turkish-mediated deal to export some of its enriched-uranium stockpile.

Iran's acceptance of the uranium deal mediated by Brazil and Turkey had been widely viewed by analysts as an effort to blunt the U.S.-led drive in the U.N. Security Council for new sanctions.

But Clinton's surprise announcement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee made clear that momentum for what would be a fourth round of U.N. sanctions has not been slowed.

The secretary of state said the veto-wielding permanent Security Council member states, including pivotal members China and Russia, have agreed on a draft resolution, which will be circulated in the full 15-member council.

While avoiding criticism of efforts by Brazil and Turkey to reach the export deal with Iran, the Obama administration has made clear its skepticism that it would hamper what is seen here as an Iranian drive for nuclear weapons.

Clinton, opening Senate testimony on the new U.S.-Russia nuclear arms reduction treaty, said the Tehran accord leaves "a number of unanswered questions" and the sanctions agreement is as convincing an answer that could be provided to the Tehran announcement.