Iran gets the stick at IAEA meet

Vienna: International nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency's board today censured Iran, demanding Tehran immediately halt construction of its newly revealed nuclear facility and also abide by UN Security Council resolutions calling on it to stop uranium enrichment. A resolution to this end was supported by 25 nations, including India.

Bushehr nuclear plant- Image: UN

Bravado aside, Iran will have to take note of the vote which is significant on several counts, primarily because the resolution was endorsed by six world powers - the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany – which is a rare event, particularly with regard to Iran.

Traditionally, Moscow and Beijing have deflected efforts by world powers to bring Iran to heel on nuclear matters by either preventing new Security Council sanctions or diluting their potency.

Their unanimous support for the resolution, endorsed by the IAEA's 35-nation decision-making board, now reflects broad international disenchantment with Tehran on nuclear–related matters.

Only three nations - Cuba, Venezuela and Malaysia - voted against the document, with five abstentions and one member absent.