Previous United Nations sanctions

The Security Council has already imposed three sets of sanctions on Iran, in December 2006, March 2007 and March 2008. All failed to halt Teheran's nuclear program.

Dec 23, 2006: The Security Council unanimously passed resolution 1737. It banned the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and froze the assets of Iranian individuals and companies related to the enrichment program. It gave Iran 60 days to suspend uranium enrichment, a deadline Iran ignored.

Mar 24, 2007: The Security Council adopted resolution 1747 unanimously. It included new arms and financial sanctions. It extended an asset freeze to 28 more groups, companies and individuals engaged in or supporting sensitive nuclear work or development of ballistic missiles, including the state-run Bank Sepah and firms controlled by the Revolutionary Guard. The resolution invoked Chapter 7, Article 41 of the UN Charter, making most of its provisions mandatory but excluding military action. Iran again ignored an order to halt enrichment.