Western powers have retreated from an IAEA draft resolution against Iran, after facing strong opposition from the other members.

In order to step up pressure on Iran, Western powers, led by the US, planned to introduce a separate IAEA resolution one day after the UN Security Council slapped a new round of sanctions on Tehran.

However, the plan was dropped after meeting strong opposition from Russia, China and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

"We don't think that there is any need for a draft resolution. In our opinion, it would damage the environment of cooperation and confidence-building between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the agency," said the Cuban Ambassador Norma Goicochea Estenoz.

The opposition warned that excessive sanctions could prove counter-productive as it may put Tehran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog in jeopardy.

SBB/HGH/DT