The UN Security Council has adopted a fourth round of tough new sanctions aimed at halting Iran's suspect nuclear program. The resolution was approved Wednesday with 12 countries voting for, two against and one abstention, reflecting some division among the 15-member council, VOA News reported.

Brazil and Turkey were the two dissenters in the vote, while Lebanon abstained.

Resolution 1929 increases the pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear activities and come to the negotiating table. Among the new measures are an expanded arms embargo and a ban on certain ballistic missile activities. Additionally, there are new restrictions on Iran's financial and insurance sectors and a cargo inspection regime intended to prevent Iran from smuggling in prohibited items.

The resolution also imposes sanctions on 40 new entities linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and one individual - Javad Rahiqi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

In Washington, President Barack Obama said the resolution sends an "unmistakable message" about the world's commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

The resolution was primarily drafted and negotiated among the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States - plus Germany.