Iran generates ‘serious concern’

Vienna, Austria The U.N. nuclear watchdog expressed “serious concern” Thursday over Iran’s resumption of activities that could lead to an atomic bomb, and diplomats said Tehran has a Sept. 3 deadline to stop or face another possible referral to the Security Council.

Iran, showing the defiance it has increasingly displayed since its new president was inaugurated last weekend, responded with indignation. Tehran’s chief delegate here vowed that Iran would become a nuclear fuel producer and supplier within a decade. “This resolution is political,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi, according to the state-run news agency. “It comes from American pressure. It lacks any legal or logical basis and is unacceptable.”

The topic of the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution, adopted by consensus by its 35-nation board, was Iran’s move Wednesday to reopen its uranium conversion plant in the mountains outside the southern city of Isfahan.

Pakistan test-fires cruise missile

Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan successfully test-fired its first cruise missile on the 62nd birthday of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who hailed Thursday’s launch as a move toward “military balance” in the region.

Archrival India declined to comment on the test of the Babur missile, which has a range of 310 miles and is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads.

Pakistan fired the missile from an undisclosed location without notifying India – just days after the two governments formalized an agreement on telling each other in advance about missile tests.

But the move appeared unlikely to upset a peace process between the nuclear rivals.