UN Security Council extends mandate of experts monitoring Iran sanctions

The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the panel of experts which monitors the implementation of sanctions against Iran for a year until July 9, 2016.

In a resolution adopted here, the 15-member body made the decision by "determining that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as their means of delivery, continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security."

The council also requested the panel of experts to provide a planned program of work no later than 30 days after its reappointment, and submit a mid-term report on its work to the council by Dec. 9, 2015.

Last week, representatives from Iran and the P5+1 group, namely Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany, began a new round of nuclear talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna with the aim of preparing a preliminary draft for a possible nuclear deal by June 30.

On Nov. 24, 2013, world powers and Iran reached an interim agreement on the latter's nuclear program, which demanded Iran suspend some sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for limited sanction relief to buy time for diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.

Negotiators agreed on a framework of understanding in early April and set June 30 as a deadline for reaching a final deal, after missing two previous deadlines in June and November last year.

Iran's nuclear program has long been a subject of concern for Western powers, who suspect it to be geared toward developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists it has an inalienable right to develop its civilian nuclear plan. Endite