Iran's Parliament Backs Threats To Stop UN Checks

An Iranian nuclear facility at Natanz (file photo) (epa) 15 January 2006 -- Iran's parliament has backed threats to stop inspections by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog if the country's nuclear case is brought before the UN Security Council.

Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted parliamentary speaker Gholam-Ali Hadad-Adel as saying parliament would insist on the implementation of a bill approved on 20 November.

The bill obliges the government to stop allowing snap UN checks of nuclear sites if the controversy over Iran's nuclear program is referred to the Security Council.

Hadad-Adel also said any further negotiations primarily aimed at depriving Iran of nuclear technology could not be considered negotiations and will therefore be rejected.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Assefi said Tehran still regards diplomacy as the only way out of the controversy. He also said Tehran is not afraid of the Security Council.

(dpa)