The United Nations nuclear watchdog has adopted a European-brokered resolution in which Iran has agreed to a total freeze of its uranium enrichment activities.
Meeting in Vienna (Monday), the International Atomic Energy Agency endorsed the resolution that will allow Iran to avoid referral to the U.N. Security Council.
Under the European resolution, Tehran has pledged to halt all activities related to enriching uranium, with the IAEA to verify the suspension.
The United States had wanted Iran referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions, saying Tehran is secretly pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran denies this charge.
A U.S. State Department spokesman said Iran has been put on notice. He said if Iran fails to uphold the terms of the resolution, the IAEA should immediately refer Tehran to the Security Council.