26 October 2004 -- Hard-line Iranian lawmakers today introduced a bill which would force the government to resume uranium enrichment and halt snap UN inspections of nuclear facilities.
The official IRNA news agency said the lawmakers, who control a majority in Iran's parliament, want to give the bill a "double urgency" status, meaning it could be discussed in parliament in the next few days.
If approved, the bill would bring Tehran into direct conflict with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has given Iran until late November to halt all uranium-enrichment activities or face being reported to the UN Security Council.
Iran last year agreed to suspend enriching uranium -- which can produce bomb-grade material -- and agreed to snap inspections of its nuclear facilities to counter U.S.-led accusations that it has a covert nuclear arms program. Iran denies the claims.
(Reuters)
If approved, the bill would bring Tehran into direct conflict with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has given Iran until late November to halt all uranium-enrichment activities or face being reported to the UN Security Council.
Iran last year agreed to suspend enriching uranium -- which can produce bomb-grade material -- and agreed to snap inspections of its nuclear facilities to counter U.S.-led accusations that it has a covert nuclear arms program. Iran denies the claims.
(Reuters)