Iran has broken several UN seals at a uranium processing plant, sparking a harsh response from the United States and spurring several European nations to begin rallying international pressure for a resolution urging Tehran to go back to the voluntary freeze it broke earlier this week. The International Atomic Energy Agency put on the seals after Tehran agreed with the European Union’s biggest powers to halt all nuclear fuel work last November. A draft resolution submitted to the IAEA says Iran must resume a full suspension, but does not say Iran should be referred to the U.N. Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hamid Reza Asefi said the European demands that Iran cease all work at Isfahan were “illogical and arrogant.” He said “The resumption of activities at Isfahan nuclear plant is a step to protect the nation’s right. Pressures and threats can not make us put our people’s right on auction.”
Iran Breaks UN Nuclear Seals to ‘Protect Nation’s Right’
HeadlineAug 11, 2005