Q+A: Western powers discuss possible new Iran sanctions

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Western powers are discussing ideas for a fourth round of U.N. sanctions they would like to impose on Iran over its nuclear program, and France is advocating tough steps against Iran's energy sector.

Russia has indicated that it would not oppose new sanctions against Tehran for defying five U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it halt its nuclear enrichment program, but diplomats say China's position is less clear.

Tehran's announcement that it will expand its nuclear fuel program has bolstered the case for new sanctions, diplomats say. France's U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud said it was important to take the time needed to secure China's support, suggesting he thought it was possible win reluctant Beijing's backing.

Iran rejects Western charges that it is secretly developing atomic weapons and says the goal of its nuclear program is generation of electricity.

WHO IS PUSHING FOR NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN?

The United States, Britain, France and Germany have been exchanging ideas on a fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt its nuclear enrichment program as demanded by five U.N. Security Council resolutions. They hope to persuade Russia and China to back new sanctions.

Both Russia and China have lucrative business ties with Iran, which Western diplomats say is one of the main reasons that Moscow and Beijing had been reluctant to support the first three rounds of punitive U.N. measures against Tehran.

Apart from Germany, all the powers discussing whether to sanction Iran again have veto powers on the Security Council.

Western officials involved in the six-power negotiations say Russia has been losing patience with Tehran and will likely support new sanctions, though it will oppose measures that it deems too tough, such as sanctions on Iran's energy sector.

China's position is unclear, though analysts say its silence indicates it might not oppose new sanctions.

Western diplomats say they will work hard to win Beijing over, even if it means diluting proposed measures.

If China were to abstain from a vote on a Security Council resolution, or vote against it, Western officials say, Tehran would take it as a sign that world powers are divided.

WHERE ARE SANCTIONS DISCUSSIONS AT NOW?

France and the United States have both prepared informal papers outlining the kinds of punitive measures against Iran the 15-nation Security Council could approve. They are discussing them with Britain and Germany, and keeping Russia updated on the discussions.

Once the four Western powers agree on an outline of possible future measures, they will begin negotiations with Russia and China, which can be expected to work hard to water down any proposed measures as they did with the three Security Council resolutions passed in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

So far negotiations are being conducted between the capitals. They will move to U.N. missions in New York later.

WHAT KINDS OF MEASURES ARE BEING PROPOSED?

Among the ideas put forward in the U.S. and French outlines of possible sanctions are the following:

- blacklisting Iran's central bank and several more of Iran's biggest banks, including Bank Melli and Bank Saderat (Bank Sepah is already blacklisted), for helping with the financing of Iran's nuclear and missile programs;

- expanding existing lists of Iranian individuals and companies facing travel bans and asset freezes, with a new focus on members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and companies controlled by it;

- blacklisting several shipping companies;

- expanding the existing U.N. ban on arms exports from Iran to include a ban on arms imports into the country;

- the French proposed targeting Iran's energy sector with a ban on the sale of equipment that would help Iran increase its oil output and curbing gasoline sales to Iran;

- a ban on new investments in Iran's energy sector;

- a ban on the sale to Iran of technology needed for producing liquefied natural gas.

WHAT ABOUT SANCTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED NATIONS?

The United States has comprehensive sanctions against Iran in place. The European Union, however, could further reduce trade with the Islamic Republic.

Germany, France, Britain and other EU governments have said the EU could impose its own punitive measures against Iran outside the United Nations, which European diplomats say could be painful for the Islamic Republic.

But some EU governments might be reluctant. European diplomats say it would be easier to get consensus inside the 27-nation bloc on tougher sanctions if the Security Council adopted a fourth round of U.N. measures first.

WHAT'S THE TIMETABLE FOR NEW SANCTIONS?

Western diplomats hope to get an agreement on elements for a new sanctions resolution among the six powers by the end of February and a resolution approved by the Security Council by the end of March.

According to U.N. diplomats, such a timetable is extremely ambitious in view of China's reluctance.

(Additional reporting by Arshad Mohammed in Washington; editing by Mohammad Zargham)