Iran Law Mandates Nuclear Program

Iran’s hard-line Guardian Council on Saturday approved a law mandating that the country develop nuclear technology -- including uranium enrichment -- a move aimed at strengthening Tehran’s hand in negotiations with Europeans.

The law’s passage does not compel the government to immediately resume uranium enrichment, which it has halted as it negotiates with the Europeans. But the legislation insists that Iran pursue its nuclear goals even as international pressure over its ambitions increases.

The council’s decision was a clear challenge to European negotiators trying to persuade Iran to abandon the program, an Iranian lawmaker said.

“Approval of the parliamentary legislation into law by the Guardian Council means Europeans should forget the idea of asking Iran to permanently freeze its nuclear activities forever,” said Nayereh Akhavan Bitaraf, a conservative lawmaker.

Now Iranian negotiators will be required by law to pursue uranium enrichment and defend the development of nuclear fuel production facilities, she said.

Iran’s conservative-dominated parliament passed the bill May 15, but the Guardian Council vets all bills before they can become law.

The law calls on the government to develop a nuclear fuel cycle, which would include resuming the process of enriching uranium. Enriched uranium can be used as fuel in power plants or in weapons.

Iran insists that its nuclear program is strictly for generating electricity. But the United States and Europe fear that the regime is using that as a cover to develop atomic weapons.

Iran has long said its decision in November to suspend all uranium enrichment-related activities was voluntary and temporary. The Europeans, led by Britain, France and Germany, are preparing a package of economic incentives in the hope of securing a permanent cessation.

Iranian officials have suggested that accepting a permanent freeze of its nuclear activities would bring down the government because proceeding with the program is a matter of national pride.

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.