Tehran dismisses UN sanctions as "illegal"

Tehran has dismissed the UN Security Council's decision to increase sanctions on Iran as "illegal".

The UN has ratcheted up the sanctions after Iran refused to suspend nuclear enrichment and other sensitive activities.

There were 14 votes in favour, none against, and one country - Indonesia - abstained.

Iran denounced the resolutions as violations of international law and said they only served to harm the 15-nation Security Council's standing.

Iran's UN ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, said: "The credibility of the Security Council ... is readily downgraded to a mere tool of the national foreign policy of just a few countries."

He insisted Iran's nuclear programme "has been, is and will remain absolutely peaceful."

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog urged Tehran to clear up the matter quickly. He said: "I urge Iran to be as active and cooperative as possible in working with the agency to clarify this matter of serious concern."

The new resolution adds the names of 13 individuals and 12 companies to the list of people and firms suspected of helping Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

It also calls for increased vigilance over Iranian financial institutions and insists countries should be wary of two Iranian banks - bank Melli and Bank Sederat.

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