In a statement released by his spokesperson in New York, the Secretary-General noted “with satisfaction” that the Council had acted unanimously in adopting Resolution 1747, which imposed a ban on arms sales and expanded the assets freeze against Iran.

He called on Iran “to fully implement the resolution’s provisions and to urgently take the necessary steps to restore the international community’s trust that its nuclear programme is peaceful in nature,” according to the statement.

“The Secretary-General believes that a negotiated solution would strengthen the international non-proliferation regime and hopes that dialogue will resume on this issue of paramount importance.”

Iran’s nuclear programme has been a matter of international concern ever since the discovery in 2003 that it had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the NPT.

At yesterday’s Security Council meeting, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, rejected the resolution as a politically motivated scheme to deprive the country’s people of their rights.