Iran threatened today to halt spot checks of its nuclear sites after the UN watchdog passed a resolution requiring Tehran to be reported to the Security Council over its atomic plans.
Some commentators in the Islamic country expressed surprise over how some countries that had voiced support for its nuclear stance had voted at yesterday's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
China, Russia and South Africa, which had supported Iran, abstained from the vote, while India surprised all by voting for the resolution against traditional ally Iran and backing fellow nuclear powers, the United States, France and Britain.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki rejected as illegal the resolution that called on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment-related activities until it proves they are peaceful and resume talks with France, Britain and Germany.
He said now Iran had no reason to implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows the UN to make spot checks of nuclear facilities. The protocol has not yet been ratified by parliament.
"Iran has no legal commitment to continue implementation of the Additional Protocol," ISNA quoted Mottaki as saying. "The resolution is illegal, illogical and politically motivated."
Mottaki predicted a rough ride at the next IAEA board of governors meeting on November, when Iran's case could be referred to the Security Council.
"We will use all diplomatic measures to preserve our right (to have nuclear technology)," he told ISNA student news agency.
Iran denies it is seeking atomic bombs and says its nuclear programme is only for generating electricity. But it concealed its atomic fuel programme from the IAEA for 18 years.
Mottaki said Iran had no intention to pull out of the NPT if the Islamic Republic falls foul of the Security Council.
Iran had expected stronger backing at the IAEA.
"Overestimating some countries verbal support and making a fuss over it was a mistake. It has imposed huge costs on Iran," said the daily Aftab-e Yazd.