The UN Security Council has unanimously agreed to impose sanction on Iran after the Islamic republic rejected calls for a suspension of its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities.

Determined to give effect to its unmet 31 July demand that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, the Security Council has imposed sanctions blocking the import or export of sensitive nuclear materiel and equipment and freezing financial assets.

The UN decided that Iran should suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development; and work on all heavy-water related projects, including the construction of a research reactor moderated by heavy water, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A report from the director general of IAEA on the suspension is expected within the next two months.

The US stressed that adoption of the resolution sent Iran an unambiguous message that there were serious repercussions for its continuing disregard and defiance of the Security Council.