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UN voices 'deep concern' over Iran's nuclear plans Iran nuclear: UN voices 'deep concern' over plans
(about 3 hours later)
The UN's nuclear watchdog has passed a resolution expressing "deep and increasing concern" about Iran's nuclear programme.The UN's nuclear watchdog has passed a resolution expressing "deep and increasing concern" about Iran's nuclear programme.
The IAEA resolution called on Iran to clear up outstanding questions about its nuclear capabilities, but did not refer it to the UN Security Council.The IAEA resolution called on Iran to clear up outstanding questions about its nuclear capabilities, but did not refer it to the UN Security Council.
A recent IAEA report said Iran had carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear device".A recent IAEA report said Iran had carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear device".
Iran's IAEA envoy said the resolution would only strengthen Iran's resolve.Iran's IAEA envoy said the resolution would only strengthen Iran's resolve.
"It will be business as usual... We will continue our work as before," Ali Ashgar Soltanieh told reporters."It will be business as usual... We will continue our work as before," Ali Ashgar Soltanieh told reporters.
Iran insists that it is enriching uranium only to use as fuel for nuclear power stations. However, the US and its allies believe it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon.Iran insists that it is enriching uranium only to use as fuel for nuclear power stations. However, the US and its allies believe it is trying to develop a nuclear weapon.
Hard-hitting
The resolution was adopted by 32 votes against two - Cuba and Ecuador - at an IAEA meeting in Vienna.The resolution was adopted by 32 votes against two - Cuba and Ecuador - at an IAEA meeting in Vienna.
The IAEA has been debating its recent hard-hitting report on Iran - released last week in the Austrian capital.The IAEA has been debating its recent hard-hitting report on Iran - released last week in the Austrian capital.
The IAEA board has voted to express its deep concern about Iran and asked Director General Yukiya Amano to report back in March. But it has not referring Iran to the UN for further sanctions. In other words, criticism but no immediate action.The IAEA board has voted to express its deep concern about Iran and asked Director General Yukiya Amano to report back in March. But it has not referring Iran to the UN for further sanctions. In other words, criticism but no immediate action.
This is the result of a compromise agreed among the six countries which routinely take the lead in talks with Iran - the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. The four Western countries would have preferred moves towards more sanctions but Russia and China said no. Instead, a resolution criticising Iran was drawn up.This is the result of a compromise agreed among the six countries which routinely take the lead in talks with Iran - the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. The four Western countries would have preferred moves towards more sanctions but Russia and China said no. Instead, a resolution criticising Iran was drawn up.
Western diplomats are happy that the six countries have agreed a single response to Iran. But it is not yet clear what kind of impact a statement of criticism will have on the government of the Islamic Republic.Western diplomats are happy that the six countries have agreed a single response to Iran. But it is not yet clear what kind of impact a statement of criticism will have on the government of the Islamic Republic.
The resolution asks Iran to clarify matters "to exclude the existence of possible military dimensions" to its nuclear programme.The resolution asks Iran to clarify matters "to exclude the existence of possible military dimensions" to its nuclear programme.
The document also says it is "essential for Iran and the agency to intensify their dialogue".The document also says it is "essential for Iran and the agency to intensify their dialogue".
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the resolution - drawn up by the US, Britain, China, France, Russia, and also Germany - is essentially a trade-off.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the resolution - drawn up by the US, Britain, China, France, Russia, and also Germany - is essentially a trade-off.
Russia and China have come on board to share in the concern about Iran, but the resolution itself is thus less tough than the US and its allies would have wanted, he says.Russia and China have come on board to share in the concern about Iran, but the resolution itself is thus less tough than the US and its allies would have wanted, he says.
US envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies rejected criticism that the resolution was too weak.US envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies rejected criticism that the resolution was too weak.
"This resolution... gives us the tools we need to get the job done," he said."This resolution... gives us the tools we need to get the job done," he said.
The White House also welcomed the IAEA resolution.The White House also welcomed the IAEA resolution.
Spokesman Jay Carney said it exposed "the hollowness of Iran's claims" that its nuclear programme was purely for civilian purposes.Spokesman Jay Carney said it exposed "the hollowness of Iran's claims" that its nuclear programme was purely for civilian purposes.
Tehran has remained defiant over its nuclear programme, threatening to take legal action against the IAEA for issuing its recent report. Plot
The General Assembly also overwhelmingly backed a resolution condemning an alleged assassination plot targeting the Saudi ambassador to the US, which Washinton has accused Iran of being behind.
Without directly accusing Tehran of the plot, the resolution called on it to "to comply with all of its obligations under international law" and to "co-operate with states seeking to bring to justice all those who participated in the planning, sponsoring, organisation and attempted execution of the plot."
Iran has strongly denied any involvement in the plot and sought to have all references to it removed from the resolution, which was proposed by Saudi Arabia.
Tehran has threatened to take legal action against the IAEA for issuing its recent report.
Iran alleged that the report's findings were made under political pressure from the US.Iran alleged that the report's findings were made under political pressure from the US.
The IAEA has proposed sending a high-level mission to Iran to address the fears.The IAEA has proposed sending a high-level mission to Iran to address the fears.