The U.N. Security Council imposed new sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment but Iran vowed to continue its nuclear program, calling the council's action illegal and politically motivated.

The resolution authorizing a third round of sanctions targeting individuals, companies and equipment that could be used in Iran's nuclear program was approved March 3 by a vote of 14-0, with Indonesia abstaining.

However, China said March 4 that the sanctions on Iran were not meant to punish the Islamic regime but merely intended to trigger more diplomacy over its nuclear program.