U.S. calls for implementing sanctions on Iran

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States urged the international community on Tuesday to implement the fresh sanctions on Iran approved by the UN Security Council on Monday.

"I think that the most important next step is that countries implement the sanctions and make sure that they follow through on that obligation," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"We have provided several different incentives for the Iranian people, if the regime would just halt the enrichment of uranium and come to the table. They have chosen not to do that and so we were pleased yesterday to see that the UN Security Council went forward with a third round of sanctions," Perino said.

The sanctions resolution, adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday, called for more travel and financial curbs on Iranian individuals and companies and made some restrictions mandatory. It also expanded a previous partial ban on trade in items with both civilian and military uses to cover sales of all such technology to Iran.

Iran has rejected and dismissed the new resolution.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.