Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Iran Brands UN Resolution Illegal | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

Vienna- Iran has branded &#34illegal&#34 a resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog which paves the way for the country to be referred to the UN Security Council.

A majority of countries voted against Iran on Saturday, setting in motion a procedure that could end in sanctions.

Iran”s foreign minister said the resolution proved Britain, France and Germany acted on behalf of the US.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful purposes and not to produce nuclear arms as the US alleges.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki rejected the vote, branding it, &#34political, illegal and illogical&#34.

Twelve members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board abstained from voting on the EU motion.

&#34The three European countries implemented a planned scenario already determined by the United States,&#34 Mottaki said.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said the vote was part of a &#34patient long-term strategy&#34.

&#34It”s to isolate Iran on this question; it”s to ratchet up the international pressure on Iran,&#34 said Burns, quoted by the Associated Press.

The British foreign secretary also welcomed the resolution.

&#34Both the fact of the resolution and the scale of the vote in its favour are very important if we are to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons capability,&#34 Jack Straw said in a statement.