The Security Council has adopted today its fourth sanctions resolution on Iran's nuclear programme, in which it deplores the fact that Iran has so far failed to comply with the relevant earlier resolutions.

The Secretary-General has consistently stressed the importance for Iran to fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resolve all outstanding issues. These are the essential steps to restore the international community's confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of Iran's nuclear programme.

The Secretary-General continues to support a comprehensive and negotiated political solution to this issue. In this regard, he welcomes the willingness of the "P5+1" (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) to further enhance diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and consultations. He hopes that talks will resume on this issue of paramount importance.