UNITED NATIONS (RFE/RL) — Iran has swiftly rejected the United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the resolution an “invalid” and “extralegal act” outside the bounds of the UN’s charter, and vowed to continue with what it called its “peaceful nuclear plans.”

Iran’s UN ambassador, Javad Zarif, called the resolution an attempt to intimidate Iran.

“Bringing Iran’s peaceful nuclear program to the council by a few of its permanent members, particularly the United States, is not aimed at, nor will it help [to find] a solution or encourage negotiations,” he said. “Their stated objective has always been to use the council as an instrument of pressure and intimidation to compel Iran to abandon its rights.”

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said that a UN resolution would not deter Tehran from continuing to develop its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, both Israel and the United States responded to the resolution by saying the limited trade sanctions do not go far enough. U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns called on the international community to push for tougher sanctions.

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