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The UN Security Council has approved new sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, but will they work?

This fourth round of sanctions is tougher than past penalties and the previous third round imposed on Iran.

The new set sanctions call for a ban on Iranian purchasing activities related to ballistic missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, bars Iranian nuclear-related investments and financial activities, and prohibits Iran from buying several categories of heavy weapons such as attack helicopters and missiles. The sanctions also identified specific organizations, companies and individuals to be targeted by these actions.

The resolution was approved with 12 votes in favor. Brazil and Turkey both voted against the measure while Lebanon abstained. Iran has said that further sanctions will not be effective and that it will recede further away from the negotiating table and continue its nuclear efforts.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “I think it is fair that these are the most significant sanctions that Iran has ever faced and the amount of unity that has been engendered by the international community is very significant.”