Iran denounces UN resolution as illegal

TEHRAN, Dec 23 (Reuters) Iran condemned the UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran's nuclear work today as an illegal measure outside the council's jurisdiction.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told state-run television the resolution ''cannot affect or limit Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but will discredit the decisions of the Security Council, whose power is deteriorating.'' The resolution imposed sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and ballistic missiles in an attempt to get Tehran to halt uranium enrichment work.

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