Last update - 00:00 27/12/2006
Iran's parliament votes to revise gov't cooperation with IAEA
By News Agencies
Iran's parliament passed a bill on Wednesday obliging the government to revise the level of its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in reaction to a United Nation resolution on sanctions passed against the Islamic Republic.
The move comes after the UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose sanctions on Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology, in an attempt to stop uranium enrichment work that could produce material to be used in bombs.
"The government is obliged to accelerate the country's peaceful nuclear program and revise its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based on national interest," said the bill, which was read out during a parliament session broadcast live on state radio.
The bill was given double urgency status, meaning that it took precedence over regular legislation. It was backed by 167 deputies of 207 present in the 290-seat chamber.
The government supported the bill. "This is a very helpful proposal," Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Reza Asefi told the assembly. "I ask legislators to vote for it."
In Vienna, the IAEA declined to comment on the vote.
Before the vote, speaker Haddad Adel said the bill would not bind the government to a particular course of action.
"The bill gives a free hand to the government to decide on a range of reactions - from leaving the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty to remaining in the International Atomic Energy Agency and negotiating. We trust the government," Haddad Adel said.
Some legislators pushed for a bill that took a more aggressive line against the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, which they accused of being dominated by the United States.
"The draft is not appropriate to the United States' animosity to Iran," said legislator Hassan Kamran. "This is a weak draft. It should be stronger."
But other legislators said the bill should be thrown out.
"There is no need for the bill. We should lessen tensions," said legislator Noureddin Pirmoazzen.
For the bill to become a law, it has to be approved by the hard-line Guardian Council, a watchdog body.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said that those who backed the UN resolution, drawn up by Britain, France and Germany but supported unanimously by the Security Council, would soon regret their "superficial act".
Ahmadinejad also hinted that the resolution, which he said was a "piece of torn paper", would alter Iran's relationship with the IAEA.
Political analysts say the conservative-dominated parliament wanted to send a message to the outside world that hardliners in Iran could force the government to adopt a tougher line.
Last February Iran ended voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allowed for short notice IAEA inspections of its nuclear sites, after being reported to the UN Security Council.