The stalemate surrounding Iran's nuclear program looks set to persist despite a new resolution adopted by the UN Security Council slapping additional sanctions aimed at pressing Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, analysts say.

Dual-track approach

Like the previous two sanction resolutions on Tehran, the latest one continues to pursue a dual-track approach that incorporates moderate pressure and an incentive package in the hope that Iran would be driven back to the negotiating table and that its nuclear issue could be solved through diplomatic means.

Sanction measures in the new resolution include travel restrictions and bans for more Iranians, an expansion of asset freezes, curbs on dual-use items, export credit, financial monitoring, and cargo inspections on aircraft and vessels. However, observers say the measures remain moderate and are far from capable of crippling Iran.

As has been pointed out by Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya, the new resolution is not aimed at punishing Iran but urging it to return to the negotiating table, thus reactivating a new round of diplomatic efforts.

"The sanction measures are not targeted at the Iranian people and will not affect the normal economic and financial activities between Iran and other countries," Wang said.

As a matter of fact, the new resolution has left ample room for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Resolution 1803 stressed the authority and role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), commended progress in cooperation between Iran and the IAEA and pledged continued support for collaboration between the two sides.

It also emphasized the readiness of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States to deal with the Iranian nuclear issue on the basis of a package deal they offered in June 2006.