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Iran rebuked by UN nuclear body Iran rebuked by UN nuclear body
(40 minutes later)
The UN nuclear watchdog's governing body has passed a resolution condemning Iran for developing a uranium enrichment site in secret.The UN nuclear watchdog's governing body has passed a resolution condemning Iran for developing a uranium enrichment site in secret.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also demanded that Iran freeze the project immediately.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also demanded that Iran freeze the project immediately.
The resolution, the first against Iran in nearly four years, was passed by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions.The resolution, the first against Iran in nearly four years, was passed by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions.
Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy purposes, but the US says it is seeking nuclear weapons.Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy purposes, but the US says it is seeking nuclear weapons.
In September, it emerged that as well as its uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, Iran has a second such facility near the town of Qom. The revelation deepened Western fears about the country's nuclear ambitions.In September, it emerged that as well as its uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, Iran has a second such facility near the town of Qom. The revelation deepened Western fears about the country's nuclear ambitions.
The resolution was passed with rare Russian and Chinese backing, and the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says it is a sign of Iran's growing isolation. The IAEA resolution was passed with rare Russian and Chinese backing, and the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says it is a sign of Iran's growing isolation.
Tehran described the move as a "hasty and undue" step that could jeopardise talks on the issue. It comes a day after the outgoing head of the IAEA, Mohammed El Baradei, expressed frustration at Iran's refusal to accept an international proposal to end the dispute over its nuclear programme.
Tehran has failed to agree to a US-backed plan under which its low-enriched uranium would be shipped overseas for processing into fuel. The plan envisages Iran's low-enriched uranium being shipped overseas for processing into fuel. This is seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it wants, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons.
This is seen as a way for Iran to get the fuel it wants, while giving guarantees to the West that it will not be used for nuclear weapons. 'Patience running out'
Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said the resolution was a "hasty and undue" step that would jeopardise the chances of success of the talks on the proposal.
The US ambassador to the nuclear watchdog, Glyn Davies, said patience with Iran was "running out" but insisted that the resolution was "not meant to be punitive".
"I hope it provides further impetus on the diplomatic track," he added.
Addressing IAEA governors in Vienna on Thursday, Mr El Baradei said his inspectors had made no progress in their attempts to verify the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.
"It is now well over a year since the agency was last able to engage Iran in discussions about these outstanding issues," he said. "We have effectively reached a dead end, unless Iran engages fully with us."