The Iranian nuclear crisis is set to escalate today, with the United Nations’ atomic watchdog poised to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. Diplomats say the IAEA is very likely to make the move, requested by the Security Council’s five permanent members.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA Ashgar Soltanieh said: “The government should stop voluntary cooperation with the IAEA if there is any referral or any reporting to the United Nations Security Council. That means we will stop immediately the additional protocol. That means we will not accept the short-notice inspections that we have already given – 20 of them – even at military sites.” Iranians have been reacting to the diplomatic developments with concern and dismay. Protests have been held to demand the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme. The US President has reiterated the hard line on Tehran which he expressed at the State of the Union address in a speech in Nashville, Tennessee. “The World will continue to come together in unity to say: you can’t have nuclear weapons. I also addressed the people of Iran, because I believe everybody desires to be free.”

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