Following the ethics committee's investigation, the case of Cranston was due to be brought before the full Senate for possible censure.

The Bush administration has said for two years that its ultimate objective is to bring Iran before the Security Council for possible censure or sanctions.

In recent years, the agency's board has reported Iraq, North Korea, Libya and Romania to the Security Council for possible censure because of their nuclear programs.

"I'm frustrated, but I still think change will come," said a Saudi professional woman who asked not to be named because of possible censure for public criticism.

The Council expressed the strongest possible censure of this action and took note of the substantial evidence of crossings of the demarcation line by unauthorized persons.

On November 24, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 101 and expressed the "strongest possible censure of this action".

Members of Congress face possible censure.

The White House on Monday warned Iran that it might be referred to the United Nations Security Council for possible censure or sanctions.

At that time, the nations could decide whether Iran should be referred to the Security Council for possible censure.

The problem has been exacerbated in the financial-services industries, where the carrot of enormous profits often seems far bigger than the stick of possible censure.