Vienna – Iran’s showdown with the West over its nuclear ambitions entered a more volatile phase Saturday as the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency voted to refer it to the U.N. Security Council for violating its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The vote was 22-1, with 12 countries abstaining, including Russia and China. The resolution’s approval was widely expected, but only a frenzied round of last-minute diplomacy at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna persuaded Russia and China to abstain rather than vote against the measure.
The vote reflected continuing divisions within the agency’s 35-member board. India, which had earlier expressed doubts about the measure, voted in favor, while Venezuela cast the sole no vote.
The United States – which backed the resolution drafted by Britain, France and Germany – expressed satisfaction, saying that it clearly raises doubts about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
“We’re concerned that Iran’s activities pose an increasing threat to international peace and security,” said the U.S. ambassador to the agency, Greg Schulte. “Our goal is a peaceful diplomatic settlement that benefits the Iranian people and gives us confidence in the nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
Iran swiftly condemned the vote as a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the United States and Britain.
