Iran to face more travel bans

By Patrick Worsnip and Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Proposed new U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program call for mandatory travel bans and asset freezes for specific Iranian officials and vigilance on all banks in Iran, according to a draft text.

The text of "elements" of a third round of sanctions, obtained by Reuters on Friday, was agreed on by Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Russia and China and will be the basis of a resolution intended for the Security Council to pass in the next few weeks.

The Western powers had to soften some proposed measures in order to meet Chinese and Russian demands. But European Union and U.S. diplomats said they were the latest step in a gradual expansion of the sanctions against Iran and would almost certainly be followed up by further penalties if Tehran remained defiant.

The foreign ministers of the five permanent Security Council members and Germany agreed on the outline in Berlin on Tuesday and their text was circulated on Friday to the 10 nonpermanent council members.

Western countries say Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium is behind their suspicion that Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and has ignored repeated U.N. demands that it cease enrichment.

"It's a strong draft proposal which demonstrates the continuity of the approach of the international community," French Ambassador to the United Nations Jean-Maurice Ripert said in a statement.

"We are sending a very clear signal to Iran and we are increasing the pressure," he said. "Iran must respect its obligations."

The proposal says the resolution will demand again that Iran halt enrichment immediately and will include a list of specific individuals whose travel should be restricted and assets frozen. Their names were not immediately available.