The 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) late last month adopted a resolution that criticized Iran's response over its nuclear development problem and, although postponing referral to the United Nations Security Council, warned that the issue might be referred in the future. The situation gives cause for concern because Iran's immediate rejection of the resolution underlines the possibility that it might start full-scale uranium-enrichment activities any time.

The resolution recognized that Iran has violated the safeguards agreement and called into question the Iranian position that its nuclear development program is purely for peaceful purposes. Iran should seriously pay heed to this resolution and again search for a way to a diplomatic solution so that a decision to refer the issue to the Security Council can be avoided at the next IAEA board of governors meeting in November. Iran should refrain from raising tensions in the international community by spreading suspicions that its ultimate aim is to develop nuclear weapons.

Because of the breakdown of negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany that had continued since last year, the Iranian government in August resumed its uranium-enrichment program. In response, the IAEA unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Tehran to immediately stop its conversion work and continue its cessation of uranium-enrichment activities. The problem is that the vicious circle of agreement violation, censure resolution and temporary compromise has simply gone on for far too long.