Nuclear ultimatum angers Iran media

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution requiring Iran to prove it is not pursuing a secret nuclear programme by 31 October continues to provoke anger in the Iranian media.

Iranian observers are unanimous in arguing that the UN watchdog is not acting in good faith, but responding to pressure from the West - in particular, the US.

But some quarters believe that Tehran could turn the situation to its advantage by forcing a dialogue with influential nations.

Western countries are exerting pressure simply for their own political ends Iranian radio

A commentator on Iranian state radio says the resolution ignored a report by IAEA chief Mohamed El Baradei on Iran's co-operation with the agency.

Pressure

"It proves that Western countries are exerting pressure simply for their own political ends and without seeing Iran's co-operation with IAEA."

The West's aim, he says, is to put a brake on Iran's technological and economic development by preventing it from using nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

"Western countries simply want to act on the basis of their own interests and prevent the legitimate activity of other countries in the nuclear domain."

The centre-right daily Entekhab directly blames the US for the IAEA ultimatum, which may lead to Iran being declared in breach of the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The IAEA's bullying and blackmailing resolution Jomhuri-ye Eslami

"This will be the result of months of efforts by the United States to apply pressure on the international community to impose sanctions against Tehran," the paper says.

Opportunity

However, despite what it sees as a "sensitive and dangerous situation", Entekhab believes it could force the country's diplomats to act with "wisdom and the utmost seriousness", possibly leading to "further discussions and diplomatic relations" with influential IAEA nations.

The hard-line Jomhuri-ye Eslami similarly views the issue as a double-edged sword, considering it "an historical opportunity for our nation to clarify its relations with the international bullies and blackmailers".

Although pointing the finger at Canada, Australia and Japan for their complicity in "the IAEA's bullying and blackmailing resolution", it mainly blames "America and European countries" for "the political and illegal treatment of Iran's peaceful nuclear programme".

"This has proven the bitter truth that, in today's world, the only way for countries wishing to maintain their independence to survive is to become powerful."

Is it not double standards for America to be pushing for the signing of the additional protocol by another country while the US is not a signatory herself? Iran News

A report on Iranian state TV argues that the IAEA decision proves it is guided by US policy.

"In truth, the meeting of the IAEA's board of governors was a negative turning point which has transformed this agency from a neutral supervisor to an organisation under the influence of America's political wishes."

However, Tehran will remain defiant in the face of what it sees as attempts to deny Iran the right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, the TV added.

"This nation and the Islamic establishment will not allow the world's bullying and hegemonic powers to stop Iran's scientific development and the improvement of its general condition."

The moderate Iran News similarly accuses Washington of "politicising the process" and of hypocrisy.

"Is it not double standards for America to be pushing for the signing of the additional protocol by another country while the US is not a signatory herself?"

It cautions the country's leaders against succumbing to "power games played by western superpowers".

A calculated conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic of Iran Kayhan

For the reformist daily Etemaad, the IAEA resolution has created a crisis for Tehran, "a crisis whose fate depends on Tehran's 'yes' or 'no'".

Conspiracy

"Political observers believe that Tehran has never been in such a situation. Any decision would be difficult and risky."

The hardline Kayhan is in no doubt the whole issue is "a calculated conspiracy aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic of Iran".

"Iran's membership in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is being used as a weak point to apply pressure on the country. Withdrawing from NPT is, therefore, a fundamental and necessary move for Iran and any delay could entail irreparable and dangerous consequences."

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.