The decision by the United Nations nuclear watchdog could lead to sanctions against the regime. Only Cuba voted against the resolution. Israel continues to push for a preventive military attack.

Tehran (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted in favour of a resolution rebuking Iran for failing to stop atomic activity.Proposed by the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, the IAEA's resolution could lead to further sanctions.

Thirty-one out of 35 member states voted in favour, one voted against and three abstained. Cuba opposed the measure and Egypt, Ecuador and Tunisia abstained. All four countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Iran is currently the rotating president.

The IAEA's step comes at a time when Tehran has increased the number of centrifuges at its nuclear facility in Fordo, near Qom, in northern Iran. Until May, it had 1,000 centrifuges, now there are 2,000.

This has increased tensions between Iran and the international community over Tehran's nuclear programme and its potential weaponisation. For months, Israel has threatened to carry out a preventive military attack against Iranian plants.

A few months ago, the United States and the European Union imposed additional sanctions against the Iran's theocratic regime. EU Foreign Commissioner Cahtherine Ashton said the EU might take additional measures against Tehran.

The IAEA has held a series of high-profile meetings with Iran since January to find ways on  how to carry out its investigations.Its Director General Yukiya Amano said this week that no concrete results had been achieved and called the lack of progress "frustrating".

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