UNSC Resolution #1696: Suspension Required

June, 30, 2006 A.D.:
UNSC Resolution #1696: Suspension Required

By: Mir M.Hosseini

After Ahmadinejad became president, the policy of dialog adopted during Khatami's presidency was soon replaced by a hardliner stance of confrontation. Iran resumed uranium enrichment and the IAEA referred the case to the UN Security Council. The UNSC resolution #1696 passed on June 31, 2006 endorsed the offer of diplomatic and economic incentives and demanded that Iran suspend all uranium enrichment activities by August 31. The council thus threatened Iran with sanctions in case of non-compliance, but avoids any implication that use of force may be warranted. Iran briefly rejected the resolution switching to use the case for domestic propaganda in order to suppress mounting economic and social discontent.