U.N. Iran sanctions vote not ready yet: diplomats

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council will probably not vote on a third sanctions resolution targeting Iran's atomic program until after a key report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog is issued, diplomats said on Tuesday.

Washington has been pushing for a swift vote. But Security Council member South Africa has been pressing the five permanent council members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- to wait until the International Atomic Energy Agency issues a report on Iran next week.

"The vote is not specifically tied to the IAEA report, but it just so happens that by the time we get around to voting on it, it will most likely be after the report is out," a European diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Western countries say the IAEA's investigation of Iran's past nuclear activities is important but has little relevance to the future of Tehran's atomic program, which they fear may one day be used to make nuclear weapons.

They say Iran's refusal to comply with Security Council demands that it stop enriching uranium supports their suspicion that Tehran is seeking atomic weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and enrichment a sovereign right.

South Africa and other members of the Non-Aligned Movement say the IAEA's investigation is relevant and want the council to wait until it has as much information as possible.

The draft resolution, obtained by Reuters, calls for asset freezes and mandatory travel bans for specific Iranian officials and vigilance on all banks in Iran. It also repeats the council's demand that Iran halt nuclear enrichment activity.

A U.S. official said the vote could come any day and would not need to wait for IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's report, which diplomats say will announce that the agency has resolved most outstanding questions about Iran's past nuclear activity.