President Barack Obama, joined by heads of state from allies Great Britain and France, issued a strong challenge to Iran this morning to abandon a nuclear program that he said is in violation of international law.

Yesterday in Vienna, Mr. Obama said, representatives of the three nations presented evidence to the International Atomic Energy Association about a nuclear facility that had previously been unreported.

"The existence of this facility underscores Iran's continuing unwillingness to meet its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions and IAEA requirements," Mr. Obama. "We expect the IAEA to immediately investigate this disturbing information and to report to the IAEA board of governors."

Mr. Obama said Iran reported the existence of its facility to the IAEA in a recent letter, years after it began construction. Mr. Obama said the facility is "inconsistent with a peaceful program."

Mr. Obama called the facility "a direct challenge to the basic compact of the center of the non-proliferation regime."

On Oct. 1, Iran will meet with the P5+1 nations -- the U.S., China, France, Germany, Russia and the U.K. -- and Mr. Obama said it must show significant progress at that meeting toward establishing a peaceful nuclear program.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also spoke.

"Everything must be put on the table now," Mr. Sarkozy said in French. "We cannot let Iranian leaders gain time while the motors are running."

Mr. Brown said, "The international community must now draw a line in the sand."

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