Iran - nuclear crisis

Iranian MPs condemn IAEA resolution

Article published on the 2009-11-29 Latest update 2009-11-29 10:32 TU

Iranian worshippers shout slogans in support of Iran's nuclear programme
(Photo: Reuters)

Lawmakers in Iran have responded angrily to a resolution issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which censured Tehran for building a new nuclear plant.

MPs condemned the resolution, describing it as "political and lacking consensus".

MPs also demanded that Tehran continue its controversial nuclear programme "without any halt" and called on the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to reduce ties with the UN atomic watchdog.

State television said 226 lawmakers in the 290-member conservative-dominated parliament signed a declaration on Sunday demanding the government draw up "a quick plan to reduce the level of cooperation with the IAEA and submit it" to the house.

"We consider the behaviour of the IAEA to be that of double standards and political. We want it to give up this double standard which has tarnished its reputation," the MPs said in the sternly-worded declaration.

"The Iranian nation without a doubt knows that legally its nuclear file has no flaws and wants as soon as possible the case to be returned to the IAEA from the UN Security Council.

“Iranian MPs know for sure that the political will of some big powers like the United States and Britain are behind this (IAEA) resolution."

The IAEA's resolution saw China and Russia, which have close links with Tehran, joining forces with Britain, France, Germany and the United States in condemning Iran for building the new plant near the Shiite holy city of Qom.

Twenty-five nations on the 35-member IAEA board voted for the censure, which refers the case to the Security Council and was the first against Iran since February 2006.

Only Venezuela, Malaysia and Cuba voted against.

The parliament also approved a 20 million dollar budget to expose alleged US and British human rights abuses.

The sum will be spent on "alerting the international community to numerous human rights abuses by these two countries and supporting progressive movements standing against illegal acts of the US and British governments".

Parliament also said it would also target US and British "conspiracies" against the Islamic regime, adding that the intelligence ministry would be in charge of the initiative.