Monday, March 6 2006 16:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vienna: The UN nuclear watchdog opened a meeting of its board of governors today (Mar 06 2006) that could lead to punitive action against Iran over its atomic programme, which the West fears is hiding weapons development.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board is considering a report by its chief Mohamed ElBaradei, in which he said Iran was defying IAEA calls to halt uranium enrichment and should cooperate fully with inspectors.