By a unanimous vote, the security council banned exports of nuclear-related technology and materials to Iran, ordered a freeze on overseas assets held by Iranians involved in nuclear research and placed limited restrictions on their ability to travel abroad.

Alejandro Wolff, the acting US ambassador to the UN, said the move was a warning to the Iranians that there would be “serious repercussions” over their nuclear activities. America will urge other countries to impose separate financial penalties.

Iran immediately denounced the sanctions as “invalid and illegal” and said it would not heed them. Officials in Tehran hinted that they might bar inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency watching for any sign of preparations to make a nuclear weapon.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had already responded to the prospect of UN action by warning that Britain was “doomed to disappear” along with Israel and America.
Ahmadinejad, who has previously threatened to wipe Israel off the map, claimed the three countries would “vanish like the pharaohs” of Egypt.

“Today it is the United States, Britain and the Zionist regime [Israel] which are doomed to disappear as they have moved far away from the teachings of God,” Ahmadinejad said last week. “It is a divine promise.”

Iran blames Britain for coordinating the UN initiative. Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, said it remained committed to negotiation, but added: “If Iran] does not take the steps required to establish that its programme is peaceful, the security council is determined to act.”

Russia emphasised that the UN resolution did not back the use of force. But the US said it would not hesitate to return to the security council if Iran failed to suspend its uranium enrichment programme, and western diplomats appeared to leave open the possibility of military action as a last resort.

The travel restrictions were watered down on Russia’s insistence. President Vladimir Putin discussed the sanctions with George W Bush in a telephone call before the security council debate last night.

Iran was said to be considering withdrawing from the treaty on nuclear non-proliferation. Some reports also suggested it might close the Strait of Hormuz, the channel for 20% of the world’s oil, pushing up prices and increasing the risk of a military confrontation. However, western diplomats believe Iran is unlikely to do this.

The UN decision came at the end of a week of hostile rhetoric between Britain and Iran and a spying charge against Corporal Daniel James, an interpreter of Iranian origin working for the British Nato commander in Afghanistan.

Tony Blair said Iran was “at war” with the “moderate” Arab world and western forces trying to stabilise the region.

Britain and America have begun to move extra warships to the Persian Gulf, increasing the pressure on Tehran.

Additional reporting: Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv

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