On 09 June 2010 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1929 (2010), which contains additional measures concerning Iran’s nuclear issue. This resolution, although short of Washington’s original intentions due to China's and Russia's strong economic interests in the country, sends to Iran a clear message of the international community implementing the resolution steadily, thereby, urging Iran to make a sensible decision toward a peaceful and diplomatic solution of its nuclear issue.

In particular, the Sanctions requires (i) all the states to inspect and take the necessary measures to prevent the import/export, supply and sale of all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran’s enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems; (ii) take the necessary measures to prevent the supply and sale of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology that would contribute to enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.

Therefore, it is quite apparent that the present sanctions are limited to the prohibition of the uranium enrichment. The UN Security Counsel have also confirmed that the Resolution 1929 (2010) shall be suspended should Iran suspend all enrichment – related and reprocessing activities, as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time the UN Security council is determined to apply further measures if Iran continued to defy the present and the past sanctions.

It is however clear that without further action by the international community, particularly the European Union, the sanctions may not be enough to hinder Iran’s nuclear programme. Only once EU and US sanctions will be in place, and if as expected they will go beyond the actual UN sanctions, then it may be possible to bring Iran to the negotiation table. But that is only once it will be seen whether it will be the Iranian economy to suffer the most or rather the European market to be adversely impacted by the loss of business in Iran and its move to more “friendly” countries like China.