The IAEA resolution, which expressed ''serious concern" over Tehran's decision to resume uranium conversion activities at a plant in Isfahan, also called on IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei to present a major report to the board by Sept. 3 that would include findings of agency inspections conducted at all of Iran's known nuclear sites.
An agency diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, said the report could be used to build a case against Iran if the board decided to seek punitive measures from the UN Security Council. The United States has consistently advocated such action, although many countries are opposed to it.
''If they are going to build a case for the Security Council, it can't just be based on [Iran's] breaking a voluntary agreement" to suspend enrichment efforts, the diplomat said.
''It would have to be on a collection of sins. This would be the reference document."
The three European countries -- Britain, France, and Germany -- expressed hope that Iran would respond positively.
''We still believe there is a nonconfrontational way forward if Iran wants to take it," the British Foreign Office in London said in a written statement.
The United States, which decided to support the European diplomatic initiative earlier this year after originally maintaining its distance, also welcomed the result.
President Bush, speaking at his Crawford, Texas, ranch, described the IAEA action as a sign ''the world is coalescing around the notion that the Iranians should not have the means and the wherewithal to be able to develop a nuclear weapon."
In Washington, the State Department urged a tough approach.
''If Iran doesn't take the steps described in the resolution, we would expect that the next step would be referral to the Security Council," deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a State Department briefing.
