Iranian Lawmakers Call for Reduced Nuclear Cooperation

Iran's parliament is urging Tehran to reduce cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, two days after the agency voted to censure Iran over its nuclear activities.

Lawmakers read a declaration Sunday asking the government to draw up a plan to reduce the level of cooperation the U.N. nuclear watchdog and submit it to the legislature. 

Iran's parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, said earlier that Iran will review its cooperation with the agency if the international community continues to pressure Iran.

The IAEA resolution approved Friday criticizes Iran for defying international demands to freeze uranium enrichment and for secretly building a nuclear facility.  The resolution demands Iran stop the project immediately and disclose any other hidden nuclear activities.

China and Russia have close ties with Iran but voted for the censure in what was seen as a rare move that further increases pressure on Tehran.

Iran has denounced the resolution, calling it an intimidation tactic.

Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said Saturday that Iran will continue to allow basic inspections of its nuclear sites, but will not go beyond its legal obligations under its agreement with the IAEA.

Iran has refused to accept an IAEA-backed plan that would require Iran to send 70 percent of its uranium abroad for further enrichment.  The uranium would then be used for nuclear fuel for a medical research reactor in Tehran.

Iranian officials have called for a simultaneous exchange of uranium for nuclear fuel on Iranian soil, a proposal rejected by the IAEA.

Western nations suspect Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy program - a charge Iran rejects.