In June 2006, the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany offered a package of economic incentives. Incentives included offers to improve Iran's access to the international economy through participation in groups such as the World Trade Organization and to modernize its telecommunications industry. The incentives also mentioned the possibility of lifting restrictions on U.S. and European manufacturers wanting to export civil aircraft to Iran. And a proposed long-term agreement accompanying the incentives offered a ""fresh start in negotiations. [Incentives also included] transfer of technology in the civilian nuclear field, in exchange for Iran to give up permanently its disputed uranium enrichment programme. [...] "" Iran did not accept this offer because it was not attractive enough and because of its inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, it says. To justify its position, Iran has also referred to previous accords concluded between the late Shah of Iran and the West regarding Eurodif and Bushehr. Iran has also referred to similar accords between the West and other countries like North Korea or Libya, where agreements reached and promises made have not been kept. In December 2006, the UNSC decided to impose a first series of sanctions against Iran because it did not suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

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United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737 was unanimously passed by the United Nations Security Council on 23 December 2006. The resolution, sponsored by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, imposed sanctions against Iran for failing to stop its uranium enrichment program following resolution 1696. It banned the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and froze the assets of key individuals and companies related to the enrichment program. It took place two months after the creation of a draft-resolution, which was amended several times after objections from Russia and China. These objections were evident, as it took a last minute call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to U.S. President George W. Bush to finalize the vote.The resolution came after the rejection of UN economic incentives for Iran to halt their nuclear enrichment program. The sanctions will be lifted if Iran suspends the ""suspect activities"" within 60 days to the satisfaction of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747 tightening the sanctions imposed on Iran in connection with that nation's nuclear programme, was adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 24 March 2007. In the new resolution 1747, the Council decided to tighten the sanctions imposed on Iran in connection with that nation's nuclear programme. It also resolved to impose a ban on arms sales and to step up the freeze on assets already in place.

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Sanctions against Iran, which has been imposed by the U.S. government, or under U.S. pressure [...] include a total embargo on dealings with Iran by Americans, threatening the world's oil and gas companies against investment in Iran, and a ban on selling aircraft and repair parts to Iranian aviation companies.

The American Congress passed the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (ILSA) which threatened even non-U.S. countries making certain investments in Iran. Under ILSA, all foreign companies that provide investments over $20 million for the development of petroleum resources in Iran will be imposed two out of seven possible sanctions, by the U.S.:

- denial of Export-Import Bank assistance;

- denial of export licenses for exports to the violating company;

- prohibition on loans or credits from U.S. financial institutions of over $10 million in any 12-month period;

- prohibition on designation as a primary dealer for U.S. government debt instruments;

- prohibition on serving as an agent of the United States or as a repository for U.S. government funds;

- denial of U.S. government procurement opportunities (consistent with WTO obligations); and

- a ban on all or some imports of the violating company.

The U.S. government imposed sanctions on an Iranian bank on September 8, 2006, barring it from dealing with U.S. financial institutions, even indirectly. The move against Bank Saderat Iran was announced by Stuart Levey, the undersecretary for treasury, who accused the major state-owned bank in Iran of transferring funds for certain groups, including Hezbollah. While Iranian financial institutions are barred from directly accessing the U.S. financial system, they are permitted to do so indirectly through banks in other countries. But the latest move severs that access for Bank Saderat and Levey said the action does not apply to other Iranian banks. It was the Bush administration's latest effort against Iran and Hezbollah. Levey said since 2001 a Hezbollah-controlled organization had received 50 million U.S. dollars directly from Iran through Bank Saderat. He said the U.S. government will also persuade European banks and financial institutions not to deal with Iran.

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