Iran's nuclear move in press spotlight

Iran's announcement on Tuesday that it would sign an additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, paving the way for tougher UN inspections of its nuclear facilities, has received a mixed welcome in the Iranian press.

Some hardline papers condemn the move as a disgrace for Iran.

But pro-reformist papers hail the agreement, which was reached during talks in Tehran with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, as something to be proud of.

The enemies of the revolution such as Jack Straw behave as America's pet dogs. What they have conspired against us will bring us nothing but disgrace. Their plan will undermine our independence and national sovereignty.

Jomhuri-ye Eslami (hardline, pro-Khamene'i)

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There is no doubt that America and its allies - Britain, France and Germany - have taken the first successful step to impose their illegal and unfair demands on the Islamic Republic of Iran. The communique issued at the end of the meeting in Tehran undermined Iran's honour and prestige.

Kayhan (hardline, pro-Khamene'i)

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How gravely wrong our country's officials are to imagine that, by accepting the protocol, they would prevent collective action of the colonialist powers against Iran. Our acceptance will not create division between the USA and Europe. On the contrary, the enemies of the Islamic revolution will become even more insolent in their demands.

Jomhuri-ye Eslami (hardline, pro-Khamene'i)

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The people who are unhappy with the signing of the additional protocol should realize the country was in a tight spot. It had to decide between accepting something bad now or waiting for something much worse later. We must avoid anything that endangers the country's territorial integrity and, instead, strive more than ever to breach the gap between the people and the state authorities.

Yas-e Now (reformist)

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One of the immediate outcomes of our agreement was that it negates America's unilateral policies and its arrogance in trying to arrange global relations to fit its own agenda.

Iran Daily (moderate)

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Some [hard-liners] imagine that, by paying attention to world public opinion, Iran would surrender to the will of its enemies... If this experience were the beginning of our new approach to other nations and states, it would be a major achievement that could even make up for past mistakes when we wasted several opportunities.

Aftab-e Yazd (reformist)

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Iran can now be proud of handling the talks in a positive way that has served its national interests and security. Iran now has its right of access to nuclear technology recognized without yielding to an ultimatum imposed by the IAEA. It has also protected its uranium enrichment facilities. Furthermore, Iran now has Europe's commitment to offer nuclear technology to Tehran... Iran can now rest assured because all of its interests regarding nuclear capability have been protected.

Etemaad (reformist)

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Until yesterday Europe was confronting Iran in the battle over the nuclear issue. Today Iran sees Europe as a friend... The most valuable achievement of the meeting in Tehran was peace of mind for both sides.

Iran (moderate, pro-reform)

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.