IAEA reports Iran to Security Council

Vienna: The United Nations nuclear agency reported Iran to the UN Security Council on Saturday, a move which could result in sanctions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made the decision after a 27-3 vote from its 35 board member nations.

The board's resolution cited "Iran's many failures and breaches of obligations to comply" with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Russia and China joined the United Sates and European countries in a campaign to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear research, which they fear could be used to make nuclear arms.

Syria, Cuba and Venezuela voted against the measure, while Algeria, Belarus, Indonesia, Libya and South Africa abstained.

British Ambassador Peter Jenkins said the Security Council referral signifies "a continuing lack of confidence in Iran's nuclear intentions".

"Board members simply cannot understand why Iran is so determined to press on with its [uranium] enrichment program."