Iran yesterday blasted as "illegal" a resolution passed by the UN's nuclear watchdog that sets the country up for referral to the Security Council, but in the face of mounting international pressure asserted negotiations were still possible.
The Islamic republic's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki signalled the clerical regime was still considering how to respond to the text, after initial threats of a radical backlash that could lead to a dramatic escalation of the crisis.
"In no way will Iran give up its right to nuclear technology, including the fuel cycle for peaceful purposes, as is enshrined in the [Non-Proliferation Treaty]," Mottaki told the official news agency IRNA, saying the "resolution has no legal foundation and is therefore not acceptable."
PHOTO: EPA
But he also struck a more conciliatory tone by saying Iran was "committed to the NPT and does not see the path of negotiations closed."
Despite its repeated denials, Iran is accused of using an atomic energy drive as a cover for weapons development and is under pressure to halt fuel cycle work -- which can be diverted to military purposes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday passed a resolution that opens the way for Iran to be hauled before the UN Security Council. It was a divisive vote that signalled an escalation of the West's stand-off with the Islamic republic.
The resolution -- drafted by EU negotiators Britain, Germany and France -- states for the first time since the IAEA began investigating Iran in February 2003 Tehran is in "non-compliance" with the NPT, mainly for hiding sensitive atomic activities for almost two decades.
A finding of non-compliance is an automatic trigger for taking the matter to the Security Council -- itself a tough diplomatic sanction. But referral would come only after a new report by IAEA chief Mohammed ElBaradei, probably in November.
The US and EU want Iran to totally abandon work related to uranium enrichment, arguing Iran cannot be trusted with such sensitive technology but also offering incentives in return.
Iran says its nuclear program is strictly peaceful and that enrichment is a right for every signatory of the NPT.
"In the coming days Iran will spell out its position and actions regarding the resolution," Mottaki said, promising to "use all diplomatic means to [secure] our rights."
Foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi also said the resolution was "illegal and unacceptable." Before the resolution was passed, Iran had threatened to respond by resuming making enriched uranium -- nuclear reactor fuel that can also be bomb material -- and cease applying the NPT's additional protocol which gives greater powers to IAEA investigators.
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