US Senate passes resolution condemning Iran

Reuters: The U.S. Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Iran for its nuclear program and backing efforts to report it to the U.N. Security Council. WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Iran for its nuclear program and backing efforts to report it to the U.N. Security Council.

The resolution, approved by a voice vote, cites Iran’s “many failures … to comply faithfully with its nuclear non-proliferations obligations.”

It “strongly urges” the International Atomic Energy Agency at its special meeting on Thursday to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council over suspicions it is secretly trying to develop atomic bombs.

The resolution also calls on all Security Council members, particularly Russia and China, to “act expeditiously” to deal with Iran’s suspected noncompliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The United States, Britain, France, Russia and China, the five veto-wielding powers of the 15-member Security Council, plus Germany plan to meet in London on Monday to try to resolve differences over whether to send Iran to the council. Russia and China to date have opposed a formal referral.