Iranian Majlis (parliament) approved on Sunday a bill that is to fingerprint U.S. citizens upon arrival to Iran, despite President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opposition to it, the state radio reported.

According to the bill, the related governmental departments should inspect and fingerprint all U.S. nationals upon arrival to Iran. However, President Ahmadinejad and his administration opposed the bill, saying his government was not against the ordinary Americans.

This bill was considered as a retaliation to the U.S. requirement that Iranian visitors be fingerprinted. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States has implemented the measures on nationals of Iran and some other countries.

"The United States will become more daring if we withdraw," said legislator Morteza Tammadon, who voted for the bill.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was also against the bill, saying the Bush administration "wanted to humiliate the Iranian nation, but American people during the U.S. midterm elections opposed the administration's policy by their votes".

This was a proof its policy to fingerprint visiting Iranians had failed, he said.

However, the measure of Iranian Majlis still needs approval from the Guardian Council, the country's constitutional watchdog, before it can become law.

Now it was unclear if the Guardian Council would approve it, the council usually approves most bills sent by Majlis but would reject if it determines the bill violates the constitution.

Source: Xinhua