Iran's Council approves law forcing govt to develop nuke tech

Times of India:

Iran's hard-line Guardian Council has approved a bill forcing Iran to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment, state-run radio reported on Saturday. READ MORE

Parliament had passed the bill on May 15 but the Guardian Council must vet all bills before they become law.

The passing of the law does not force the government to resume uranium enrichment immediately but requires it to pursue nuclear goals even as Iran is under international pressure over its nuclear activities.

The law calls on the government to develop a nuclear fuel cycle, which would include resuming the process of enriching uranium - a prospect that has drawn criticism from the United States and Europe because it could be used in developing atomic weapons.

Iran suspended enrichment of uranium last November under international pressure led by the United States, which accuses Tehran of trying to make nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its programme is peaceful and only aimed at generating electricity.

The legislation was viewed as strengthening the government's hand in negotiations with European Union representatives, allowing it to demonstrate domestic pressure to pursue its nuclear program as talks have deadlocked.

Iran agreed on Wednesday to meet with European Union negotiators for a new round of talks in the summer.