Iran MPs in uranium push

2004-10-05 20:27

Tehran - MPs in Iran's hardline-dominated parliament on Tuesday gave preliminary approval for a bill aimed at forcing the reformist government to resume uranium enrichment in defiance of the UN nuclear watchdog.

According to the state news agency IRNA, the move passed its first legislative hurdle after it was approved by parliament's foreign affairs and national security committee.

If eventually passed by a Majlis vote and approved by legislative watchdogs, such a bill would almost certainly prompt the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran's case to the UN Security Council.

Under pressure from the IAEA, Tehran last year agreed to suspend uranium enrichment while inspectors probed allegations it had been seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Enriched uranium, depending on the level of purification, can be used as either as fuel for a civilian reactor or as the explosive core of a nuclear bomb.

Iran says it only wants to generate electricity, and emphasises that enrichment is permitted under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if for peaceful purposes.

- AFP