UNITED NATIONS, April 28: Western powers worried about Iran’s nuclear programme are considering a UN Security Council resolution under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which can authorise sanctions or even the use of force.

American, British and French diplomats said on Friday they expected to present sometime next week a text in the Security Council.

A Chapter 7 resolution is invoked to take: “Action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression.”

The resolutions are binding on all UN member states.

The Security Council first determines that there is a threat to peace or a breach.

Chapter 7 says that before taking action, the council can first ‘call upon the parties concerned to comply with such provisional measures as it deems necessary or desirable’.

Diplomats at the United Nations said the upcoming resolution would not contain a threat of sanctions against Iran, which are strenuously opposed by Russia and China, which can veto any resolution.

The diplomats made clear that the new resolution would only be a first step that would be followed by another resolution mandating sanctions.

Under the charter, when the Security Council has noted the ‘failure to comply with such provisional measures’ then it should move on to more serious measures.

Article 41 of the chapter allows for sanctions, including economic and transport measures.

If the council decides that measures under Article 41 have failed, then Article 42 states “it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security.

“Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of members of the United Nations.” —AFP