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Iran Faulted On Nuclear Program

The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution Saturday saying that Iran violated its nuclear treaty obligations by secretly developing a nuclear program. But in a sign of deep division, the agency delayed reporting the matter to the U.N. Security Council, as required by statute.

The resolution states that "the history of concealment of Iran`s nuclear activities" had resulted in the "absence of confidence that Iran`s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes." The United States has said Iran has ambitions to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran has said its program is strictly for generating energy.

But in a rare display of disunity on the 35-member board, which traditionally passes resolutions unanimously, just 22 countries voted in favor of the measure. Twelve countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, South Africa and Brazil, abstained. One country, Venezuela, opposed it. Disagreement on the board had forced the European Union and the United States to retreat from their initial demand that Iran be reported immediately to the Security Council.