Iran Threatens To Reduce Nuke Cooperation

Angry Over Critical Report From U.N. Nuclear Agency, Lawmakers Chant "Death To America"

(CBS/AP)  Iran's new parliament speaker Ali Larijani warned Wednesday that Tehran could impose new limits on its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog after a critical report from the agency.

Larijani, formerly the country's top nuclear negotiator, was overwhelmingly elected as parliament speaker Wednesday. Moments later, he told parliament that a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency was "deplorable."

The unusually strongly worded report issued Monday said Iran may be withholding information needed to establish whether it tried to make nuclear weapons.

"We recommend them not to clandestinely keep passing Iran's nuclear dossier between the IAEA and 5-plus-1 group. This parliament won't allow such deception," Larijani told an open session of parliament broadcast live on state-run radio.

He was referring to IAEA reports and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany. The council has imposed three sets of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to halt enriching uranium - a process that can be used to generate electricity or nuclear arms.

"Should this behavior continue, the parliament...will set new limits on cooperation with the IAEA," Larijani said.

His comments drew chants of "God is great" and "Death to America" from the chamber.

The tone of the IAEA report, suggesting Tehran continues to stonewall the U.N. nuclear monitor, revealed a glimpse of the frustration felt by agency investigators stymied in their attempts to gain full answers to suspicious aspects of Iran's past nuclear activities.

Iran has previously described its cooperation with the agency's probe as positive, suggesting it was providing information requested by agency officials.

Iran's state-run ISNA student news agency reported Tuesday that the IAEA report was "the 12th time IAEA has confirmed Iran's nuclear program is peaceful."

The agency, which serves as a mouthpiece for the government, quoted Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh, Larijani's replacement as nuclear negotiator, as saying: "Once again it has been explicitly emphasized that there are no evidence that Iran's nuclear activities or materials have been deviated toward military intentions."

ISNA did not refer directly to the IAEA's accusation that the Islamic Republic is refusing to provide information about what investigators believe are suspect past efforts, but said the agency had complained about incomplete information, "due to the U.S. pressures".

In the past, Iran had extensive voluntary cooperation with the IAEA beyond its obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, including allowing IAEA inspectors to visit its military sites as a goodwill gesture to build trust.

But Tehran ended all voluntary cooperation with the IAEA, including allowing snap inspections of its nuclear facilities, in February 2006 after being reported to the U.N. Security Council.

Ever since, Iran has limited its cooperation to only its obligations under the NPT. The treaty does not require Iran to allow short notice intrusive inspections of its facilities.

Larijani didn't specify what measures the parliament would take, but it could include further scaling back cooperation by not responding to questions originating from Western intelligence agencies.

[tngreen]

If you think Iraq has been a quagmire, it will look like a tea party compared to what awaits the U.S. in Iran. In 8 years of war, Iraq could not beat them, even being armed by the U.S. They will give us the hell we so richly deserve.

[vietnam21]

EU will go for more sanctions, and more talk ,talk, talk and then wait for the US to make a decision...you watch.

[payasyougo]

"Iran Threatens To Reduce Nuke Cooperation"

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This is like hearing that conservatives are threatening to reduce cooperation with liberal politicians.


What cooperation?

[ioweign]

Iran Threatens To Reduce Nuke Cooperation

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Iran to use "Executive Privilege" - now I wonder where they got that idea...

[feelfree4u]

Good night, AJMarine111.

Likewise.

[minnick8-2009]

AMERICA STAND UP OR SHUT UP!
Posted by bluestardad

Don''t worry, we will. There will be a time when everyone who wants freedom will have to take a stand and be willing to fight for it. Freedom will win.

[minnick8-2009]

Can you imagine living a life of abstinence, dying, going to judgement and learning that my reward is to be part of a Harem of 72 virgins? That would actually be hell.
Posted by minnick8 at 03:44 PM : May 28, 2008

Especially if you are a guy virgin.
Posted by AJMarine

Do you think that when the Islamic terrorists detonate their bombs in a suicide mission which is supposed to exalt them to their reward, that they are dreaming of 72 male virgins? Wouldn''t that be a hoot if that''s what they got. Those young men were dreaming of a young virginal girl, and got 72 guys? LOLOLOL

[ajmarine111]

Good night FeelFree,

As always, its been nice talking to you.

Live Long and Prosper.

[minnick8-2009]

Elijah discover electricity in 9th century BC. And he even cooked dinner with it.

Posted by freakout1013

So, in other words, no one before the ninth century looked up in the sky and witnessed a bolt of lightening?

[minnick8-2009]

NUKE THE BASTARDOS BEFORE THEY NUKE US.
Posted by mudrose

I agree. But if we do that, then what will all these little minded Islamic terrorist have to do? They won''t be able to get on the Internet and call us stupid.