"Iran insists that its nuclear project is for peaceful use. Besides, Iran keeps stressing that it hopes to settle the problem through peaceful talks, and it never says that it will quit the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which leaves quite a space for Iran's diplomatic mediation," he said.

The international community still aims to settle the issue through peaceful negotiations. Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya stressed, "We are in favor of a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue through political and diplomatic efforts and negotiations."

He emphasized that the new resolution is not meant to punish Iran but to urge Tehran to return to the negotiations and reactivate diplomatic efforts. "The relevant sanction measures should neither harm the Iranian people nor affect normal economic, trade and financial exchanges between Iran and other countries," he said, adding that it was impossible to resolve the issue fundamentally by imposing sanctions and pressure only.

International tension over Iran's disputed nuclear program has risen further in recent days, sending oil and gold prices higher. As U.S. Navy ships are currently patrolling the Gulf, there are rumors that the United States might attack Iran to end the nuclear issue.

"If America starts a war against Iran, it won't be the one who finishes it," Morteza Saffari, naval forces commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, was quoted as saying by the Iranian News Agency.

Although the Pentagon called the rumor "silly," experts warned that if a war started it would have devastating consequences, so all related parties should remain calm and make a rational choice.

Highlights of Resolution 1747 --Notes that a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue would contribute to global nonproliferation efforts and to realizing the objective of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, including their means of delivery; --Emphasizes the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution and that an offer of economic and diplomatic incentives to Iran remains on the table; --Reaffirms that Iran shall without further delay implement UN Resolution 1737 and relevant IAEA resolutions to suspend its nuclear enrichment activities and requests within 60 days a further report from the Director General of the IAEA on whether Iran has complied with these resolutions; --Expands a list of Iranian officials and companies targeted for financial and travel restrictions; --Places an asset freeze on individuals and entities involved in nuclear and missile projects; --Bans Iran from exporting arms and calls on states to “exercise vigilance and restraint” in shipping any heavy weapons to the country; --Calls on nations and institutions not to offer new grants, financial assistance or concessionary loans to the Iranian Government except for humanitarian and development purposes; --Stresses the authority and role of the IAEA and underlines that the Iranian nuclear issue shall be resolved within the framework of the IAEA; --Notes that the UN Security Council would suspend all sanctions if Iran complies with the council's demands within 60 days. Otherwise, the council will seek further actions under Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which excludes the use of military force.  (Source: Xinhua News Agency)