Iran censured over nuclear cover-ups

The UN atomic agency today adopted a resolution censuring Iran for past nuclear cover-ups and warning that its activities would be thoroughly policed to put to rest suspicions that the country had a weapons agenda.

The resolution, adopted by the 35 nation board of governors of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, did not confront Iran with a direct threat of sanctions – resolving a sticking point between the United States and key European powers over how to deal with Tehran.

Adopted by consensus, the resolution warns against ”further serious Iranian failures,” saying that could lead the board to consider actions allowed by its statute – shorthand for UN Security Council action.

While welcoming Iran’s “offer of active cooperation and openness” - including suspending uranium enrichment and agreeing to thorough inspections on IAEA demand – the measure calls for a “particularly robust verification system” to test Tehran’s honesty.

The United States, which alleges that Iran plans to develop nuclear arms, had wanted a specific mention of Security Council action – with an implicit threat of sanctions – should Tehran fail to come clean on past nuclear secrets and renege on pledges to open present activities to full IAEA inspection.

Washington had insisted last week it would hold out for at least a threat of Security Council action over 18 years of clandestine activities by Iran including uranium enrichment and plutonium processing.

Under intense international pressure, Tehran suspended enrichment recently and agreed to allow the implementation of stringent IAEA spot checks of its nuclear activities as part of an effort to demonstrate openness and cooperation with the agency.

But France, Germany and Britain opposed a Security Council threat, fearing Iran could backtrack on its cooperation and its commitment to clear up questions about its past if it was too strongly pressured.

In a slap at the United States and its allies, a statement issued by the Iranian delegation to the IAEA said the resolution offered only “marginal relief to the few hard-liners” on the board.

“There is no ground for Security Council involvement,” the statement said, adding the resolution ”recognises that a new chapter has been started, which is characterised by proactive cooperation and transparency,” on the part of Iran.