Islamic Republic of Iran: May End Cooperation with International Agency

The Islamic Republic of Iran has criticized what it calls American influence over the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that if this situation does not change, Tehran may end its cooperation with the agency. Pirooz Hosseini, Iran's representative at the IAEA, said on Wednesday in Vienna that the U.S. has exerted excessive pressure on European countries to make the text of a resolution expressing concern over Iran's nuclear activities more stringent. The IAEA Board of Governors is set to vote on the final text of the resolution this week. Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in remarks made on Wednesday in the U.S. Congress that despite the flexibility shown by the U.S. regarding the tone of the resolution, Washington still believes that Iran must abandon all its ambitions regarding the development of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Kamal Kharrazi warned on Wednesday in Tehran that if faced with punishment, the Islamic Republic would end its nuclear cooperation with the IAEA. He also mentioned that his country intends to resume uranium enrichment. In the meantime, Libya signed another additional protocol to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, allowing IAEA inspectors to visit its facilities only with short prior notice.