"We want to take this opportunity to applaud the action taken today by the government of Japan, the steps they are taking to implement Security Council resolution 1737, which is designed to help prevent Iran from being able to enhance its continuous development of nuclear weapons," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.
The Japanese government decided Friday to freeze assets of 10 groups and 12 persons related to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and decided to ban transfer of funds in connection with Iran’s sensitive nuclear and ballistic missile program. The measures will become effective Saturday.
"This action came several days after the European Union adopted a common position that calls for the implementation of the resolution and also allows for member states to be able to take additional measures, beyond those formally required by the resolution," Casey said.
"I just think that it is important to note that the international community is responding to the requirements of the Resolution 1737 and I think this reflects the real and serious concern of the countries involved," he said.
The UN Security Council adopted the sanctions resolution in December after Iran failed to meet international demands to freeze uranium enrichment activities that the West fears would be used to build a nuclear bomb.
Tehran denies it is building a bomb and insists its program is solely to meet its energy needs.
Casey said United States could possibly submit another resolution to the UN Security Council.
"Certainly we’re considering the possibility, but we’re doing so obviously in the context of Resolution 1737," he said.
His boss, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, raised the possibility at a press round table on Thursday.
"It’s likely we would pursue one, but we haven’t made the decision," she said. "We have to look at whether we think a further resolution is going to have further effect in helping or making the Iranians question the road that they’re on or not."
A State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity said a new resolution would fit into the Security Council schedule.
"It’s kind of part of the natural process. I would not read into that that there is a pre-cooked agreement either among (Germany and the five permanent Security Council members: Britain, China, France, Russia and United States) or the Security Council as a whole on specific actions to take in a second resolution," the source said.
The December 23 resolution gave Iran 60 days to conform to international demands or face a possible new resolution. The deadline is February 21.