The decision to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council over Tehran’s nuclear program is an illegal decision and politically motivated, Iranian officials have said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, passed a resolution on Saturday which allows Iran to be referred to the council.
However, the decision was softened by the fact that no specific date was given for a referral.
Also, the decision was made with a slim majority. Some 22 of 35 IAEA board members voted in favor of the referral. All other countries abstained, except for Venezuela, which voted against the motion.
A referral to the Security Council could mean possible sanctions for Iran.
The European Union, represented by the United Kingdom, France and Germany, has been engaged in negotiations over Iran’s controversial nuclear issue for more than two years.
Washington has been more insistent on referring Iran to the Security Council, claiming Tehran is secretly manufacturing nuclear weapons.
Recently the EU has been inclined to take more forceful steps with Iran after the latter violated a November 2004 agreement by renewing uranium conversion, a key component in the nuclear fuel process.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, and maintains it has the right to create nuclear energy.
The grounds for allowing a referral are that Iran is not complying with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran is warning that if taken to the Security Council, it could start uranium enrichment and limit inspections in its nuclear facilities.