The International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday approved the suspension of over 20 nuclear technical aid programs to Iran as part of U.N. sanctions imposed because its nuclear defiance.
Tehran said it would not bow to pressure on its nuclear plans. Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA declared before Thursday's meeting that uranium enrichment activities in Natanz nuclear facility is proceeding according to schedule.
According to IRNA, he said that all activities in the nuclear facility continue to be under full supervision of the IAEA.
The decision to deprive Iran of 22 projects was taken by consensus and was expected. The move was recommended by agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei. "I have not heard anyone express dissatisfaction" with ElBaradei's recommendations, said Ramzy Ezzeidin Ramzy, Egypt's chief IAEA representative.
Chief Iranian delegate Ali Ashgar Soltanieh dismissed the decision, along with other international moves to pressure his country to suspend uranium enrichment, as the work of a "few countries ... to deprive Iran from its inalienable rights for (the) peaceful use of nuclear energy."
The "Iranian nation is a peace-loving nation but will never tolerate any pressure or intimidation," he told the meeting.
He also said Israel's undeclared nuclear program endangers "both regional peace and security."
The suspensions of technical cooperation fell under the provision of U.N. Security Council sanctions agreed Dec. 23 to punish Iran for defying a council demand that it freeze its uranium enrichment activities. The five permanent council members now are consulting on additional sanctions after Tehran ignored a new ultimatum to stop enrichment last month.
