The IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog, said in the resolution that there was "an absence of confidence" that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.
The resolution did not set a specific date for referral to the Security Council. Diplomats said the move will not come until November at the earliest, after IAEA chief Muhammad el-Baradei delivers his next report on Iran.
The United States hailed today's result. But the vote illustrated the divisions that continue to split the IAEA. Twenty-two countries voted in favor of the resolution, with one -- Venezuela -- voting against and 12 abstentions. Usually, IAEA resolutions are passed by unanimous consensus.
China and Russia -- with veto power on the UN Security Council -- were among those that abstained from today's vote.
(international agencies)
For more on Tehran's nuclear activities, see RFE/RL's webpage Iran's Nuclear Program
The resolution did not set a specific date for referral to the Security Council. Diplomats said the move will not come until November at the earliest, after IAEA chief Muhammad el-Baradei delivers his next report on Iran.
The United States hailed today's result. But the vote illustrated the divisions that continue to split the IAEA. Twenty-two countries voted in favor of the resolution, with one -- Venezuela -- voting against and 12 abstentions. Usually, IAEA resolutions are passed by unanimous consensus.
China and Russia -- with veto power on the UN Security Council -- were among those that abstained from today's vote.
(international agencies)
For more on Tehran's nuclear activities, see RFE/RL's webpage Iran's Nuclear Program
