General

International pressure mounting on Iran

UN watchdog demands that construction be halted on a secret uranium enrichment plant

In a rare demonstration of global unity, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has passed a resolution demanding that Iran halt development on a secret uranium enrichment plant. The vote was supported by Russia, China, the U.S., Britain, France and Germany. The resolution is the first to be passed against Iran in almost four years and could set the stage for the passing of a binding resolution from the UN Security Council that imposes sanctions on the country. In the lead-up to the vote, Iran reportedly rejected an agreement to send 75 per cent of its uranium abroad for enrichment, a deal that would have prevented the country from weaponizing the material. Both British and U.S. officials still say they want to engage Iran diplomatically, but warn that punitive measures will be forthcoming if negotiations do not progress. The Iranian government says it will not respond to international pressure, and that the IAEA resolution will only make it more difficult to reach an agreement

Guardian

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