The U.N. nuclear watchdog's governing body voted on Friday to censure Iran for developing a uranium enrichment site in secret and demanded it freeze the project immediately, reported Reuters.
The resolution, passed by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions, was the first by the 35-nation governing board in almost four years. With rare Russian and Chinese backing, it sent a message of international exasperation with Iran's nuclear secrecy.
But it was unclear whether the move, sponsored by six world powers, would translate into crucial Russian-Chinese support for sanctions Western leaders may push for if Iran does not begin to dispel suspicions about its nuclear ambitions soon.