Iran hits back in nuclear war of words

Iran got tough with its nuclear critics today and President Mohammad Khatami warned it has no “moral” commitment to suspend nuclear enrichment if the current trend at the International Atomic Energy Agency continues.

He said Iran will not accept a draft proposed by three European nations criticising its nuclear activities if the UN nuclear watchdog approves it.

Khatami stopped short of saying Iran will resume the enrichment process, or will stop all cooperation with the IAEA.

“If the draft resolution proposed by the European countries is approved by the IAEA, Iran will reject it,” Khatami said. “If Europe has no commitment toward Iran, then Iran will not have a commitment toward Europe. We assume they are not respecting their commitments.”

Diplomats at the IAEA are near agreement on a harsh rebuke of Iran for blocking a UN probe of its suspect nuclear activities, despite lobbying by Tehran to tone down the reprimand.

Delegates representing some of the 35 nations at the IAEA board of governors’ meeting said that the newest draft, written by Germany, France and Britain, would likely be formally accepted soon.

Even though the draft does not directly threaten sanctions, its tough wording amounts to substantial pressure on Iran to clear up aspects of what was a covert nuclear programme for nearly 20 years until discovered two years ago.