British foreign secretary says Iran atom deal is important step forward

LONDON (AFP) Nov 26, 2003
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Wednesday the UN nuclear watchdog agency's resolution on Iranian atomic activities was an "important step forward" in preventing nuclear proliferation.

He said the resolution, adopted by consensus among the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, opened the way to continued cooperation with Iran.

"I welcome this resolution," Straw said. "It is an important step forward in the international community's efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons."

The resolution condemned Iran for nearly 20 years of covert nuclear operations but did not recommend that Tehran should face UN sanctions.

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