Iran: Iran has threatened to halt spot checks of its nuclear sites after the UN watchdog passed a resolution requiring Tehran to be reported to the Security Council over its atomic plans.
Some commentators in the Islamic country expressed surprise over how some countries which had voiced support for its nuclear stance had voted at Saturday's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
China, Russia and South Africa, which had supported Iran, abstained from the vote, while India surprised all by voting for the resolution against traditional ally Iran and backing fellow nuclear powers, the US, France and Britain.
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki yesterday rejected as illegal the resolution that called on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment-related activities until it proves they are peaceful and resume talks with France, Britain and Germany.
He said now Iran had no reason to implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows the UN to make spot checks of nuclear facilities. "Iran has no legal commitment to continue implementation of the Additional Protocol," Mr Mottaki was quoted as saying. "The resolution is illegal, illogical and politically motivated." He predicted a rough ride at the next IAEA meeting on November. "We will use all diplomatic measures to preserve our right [ to have nuclear technology]."
Iran denies it is seeking atomic bombs and says its nuclear programme is only for generating electricity. However it concealed its atomic fuel programme from the IAEA for 18 years. Mr Mottaki said Iran had no intention of pulling out of the NPT if the Islamic republic fell foul of the Security Council. Iran had expected stronger backing at the IAEA.
"Overestimating some countries' verbal support and making a fuss over it was a mistake," said the daily Aftab-e Yazd. "It has imposed huge costs on Iran."
Russia, which is helping Iran to build a nuclear power station, was diplomatic in its assessment, saying it hoped its abstention showed dissatisfaction with some "disputable variants on settling the situation", but that the resolution would lead to further talks to settle questions over Iran's nuclear work.
India denied taking sides when it voted in favour. "It should be noted that several non-aligned and developing countries apart from India, have also voted in favour of the resolution," the foreign ministry said.