EU trio submit resolution on Iran to UN nuclear watchdog

Britain, France and Germany on Sunday submitted a draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an IAEA spokesman confirmed.

"The resolution has been submitted to the members of the board," said Mark Gwozdecky, who was referring to the IAEA board of governors.

The three European countries, representing the 25-member Europe Union (EU), had hoped to persuade Iran to cease its activities related to uranium enrichment in exchange for nuclear cooperation with the EU.

Iran backed down Sunday on a demand to exempt sensitive equipment from a freeze on uranium enrichment that can make nuclear weapons, saying it had sent a letter to the IAEA withdrawing its demand to exempt 20 centrifuges from a freeze of nuclear fuel cycle activities and accepting full suspension of uranium enrichment.

The EU has promised increased trade, which would include helping Iran get into the World Trade Organization and a host of other incentives.

The United States claims Tehran is secretly developing nuclear weapons and wants the matter brought before the UN Security Council. However, Iran says its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes.

Source: Xinhua