Iran Resolution at the UNSC

I've heard of 'carrot and stick' persuasion, but this strikes me as more of the "no action or fluffy pillow" inducements.

The five U.N. Security Council powers are close to a deal on Iran's suspect nuclear program and hope for approval of a new draft statement when the full council meets on Wednesday, diplomats said.

Britain and France, backed by the United States, distributed a revised text late on Tuesday to all 15 Security Council members that makes concessions to Russia and China. But it still calls on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment efforts, which the West believes are a cover for bomb making.

And

But not all issues have been settled and a presidential statement, compared to a resolution, needs the approval of all 15 nations with seats on the council.

Negotiations have stretched over three weeks on the statement, which is nonbinding and threatens no punitive measures. But Russia, backed by China, fear Security Council involvement will lay the groundwork for tougher action, such as sanctions, which they have vowed to oppose.

Does anyone with two brain cells to rub together think that Iran is going to be moved by a resolution that has no possibility of punitive measures? Quite frankly, I don't see any logic in what China and Japan are likely to agree too. What action will be taken? A couple kind words and someone shaking their head?

One change in the text is a watering down of a phrase calling Iran's actions a possible "threat to international peace and security," a term that Beijing and Moscow said established an escalation of council involvement.

The new version notes the council's "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security" as defined in the U.N. Charter.

But this language has still not been approved by Russia, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of secret negotiations, and is considered the main obstacle.

Well, maybe I overestimated them. Looks like the person shaking their head won't be allowed.

Now I'm starting to think that there should have been a lot more money put into the missile defense technology.