The resolution, under negotiation for weeks, urges Iran "to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, or it would face possible economic and diplomatic sanctions."

"We count on the fact that Iran will follow the call and that additional actions by the U.N. Security Council will not be necessary," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Members of the United Nations agree to accept and implement the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the UN Charter," the statement added.

At the insistence of council members like Russia and China, the resolution dropped the threat of immediate sanctions and required the council to hold further discussions before considering sanctions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated on Tuesday that his country would maintain its right to produce nuclear fuel regardless of the U.N. Security Council resolution.

The United States accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, but Iran insists that its nuclear program is aimed at generating power to meet surging domestic demands.