THE United Nations nuclear watchdog’s board condemned Iran on Thursday for failing to co-operate fully with the agency.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also called on Tehran to provide answers in a long-running investigation into uranium particles found at two locations that Tehran is accused of failing to declare as nuclear sites.

Nineteen members of the IAEA board voted for the resolution, while China, Russia and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 abstained and one did not vote, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the outcome of the closed-doors vote.

The resolution was put forward by France, Germany and Britain, supported by the United States. It comes at a critical time, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Mr Trump pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran in his first term, which included unilaterally withdrawing in 2018 from a deal that restricted Iranian nuclear development in return for reduced sanctions.

In a joint statement issued after the approval of the resolution, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the passing of the resolution.

Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.