As known, a draft of sanctions against Iran has been discussed for weeks among the members of UN Security Council and according to diplomats of UN this draft will be voted on Saturday.  This would be the second package of sanctions against Iran for its resistance on not to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

Last December a limited set of sanctions were unanimously agreed to impose and 60 days of time were given to Iran to comply with UN demands. UN’s resolution on December was banning the supply of nuclear technology and materials, and freezing the assets of key individuals and companies involved in Tehran’s nuclear programme.

It seems that the new draft includes tougher sanctions against Iran than the previous one. It would ban trade of conventional weapons, and giving loans to this country. Moreover, it includes travel restrictions on people who are related with Iran’s uranium enrichment programme.

During the negotiations of the new sanctions, countries such as South Africa and Qatar put forward some alternative proposals. South African proposal was a 90 day of time out in imposing the sanctions. Thus, a negotiation initiative could be carried out for the resolution of the problem. Moreover, Qatar and Indonesia proposed a paragraph to be included to recall a weapon of mass destruction free Middle East in the resolution. This was probably to point out Israeli weapons. However, these two requests were turned down by the US.   For resolution to be approved at least 9 out of 15 members of the Council should vote in the favor of the draft without any veto. (Reuters)

After all these developments Ahmedinejad has decided to go to the US. He is supposed to address the Council and give information about Iran’s nuclear program. As known, in spite of all accusations, Tehran claims that its nuclear activities are only for peaceful means, not to develop nuclear weapons.

While these discussions are going on, today 15 British Royal Navy personnel were captured by Iran army. According to British Ministry of Defense this soldiers were seized during a “routine boarding operation in Iraqi waters”. After this incident Britain summoned Iranian ambassador and demanded a safe release of its soldiers with all their equipment.

This event caused tension once again to increase in the Middle East before the draft to be voted in the Security Council. Following this event oil prices increased. According to Goldman Sachs data, price of Brent oil became $63.39 while WTI became $62.49.

The seizure of 15 British personnel was so meaningful just before the Council to convene on Saturday. Was it just a misunderstanding or did Iran want to give some messages to the West?

For your comments:

hozertem@gmail.com