THE architects of Iran’s illegal nuclear programme will face a squeeze on their personal finances as a result of tighter United Nations sanctions that were due to be approved by the security council last night.

A new package of sanctions aimed at forcing Tehran to halt its uranium enrichment will target companies, banks and individuals associated with nuclear and missile development programmes.

A security council debate on the sanctions began yesterday without President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, who had planned to deliver a speech defending his country’s nuclear activities. He claimed that the United States had delayed issuing visas to members of his entourage.

The UN sanctions include an asset freeze on 28 individuals and organisations, about a third of which are linked to the elite Revolutionary Guards that are loyal to the country’s Shi’ite leadership.

The draft resolution gave Iran 60 days to suspend work on enrichment and heavy water-related reactor projects, with verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

If Iran refuses to back down, additional sanctions will be imposed, including an embargo on arms exports.

Yesterday’s resolution was the second attempt by the UN to force Iran into accepting international supervision of its nuclear programme. Tehran denies western claims that it is developing nuclear weapons and insists that its reactors are for civilian purposes.

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