Iranian Parliament Backs Uranium Development 
Iran's parliament passed a bill obliging the government to press ahead with efforts to develop a nuclear energy program, Sunday, October 31, 2004. The bill was approved by all 247 deputies present in the 290-seat chamber. The outline bill called on the authorities to continue work on the nuclear fuel cycle which includes uranium enrichment. "The message of this bill is that we will not give in to pressure. The Iranian nation is determined to use peaceful nuclear technology," parliamentary speaker Gholamali Haddadadel said after the bill was approved.