Tehran, Iran ? Iran’s hard-line Guardian Council on Saturday approved a law forcing Iran to develop nuclear technology, including uranium enrichment, an action aimed at strengthening Tehran’s hand in negotiations with Europeans.

The law’s passage does not compel the government to resume uranium enrichment immediately, but it insists that Iran must pursue its nuclear goals even as pressure over its ambitions are brought to bear.

The Council’s decision was a clear challenge to European negotiators trying to persuade Iran to abandon the program, a lawmaker said.

“Approval of the parliamentary legislation into law by the Guardian Council means Europeans should forget the idea of asking Iran to permanently freeze its nuclear activities forever,” said Nayereh Akhavan, a conservative lawmaker.

Now Iranian negotiators will be required by law to pursue uranium enrichment and defend the development of nuclear fuel production facilities, she said.

“No one will be in a position to ignore the law during negotiations with Europeans,” she said. Akhavan represents Isfahan, where the heart of Iran’s nuclear facilities are located.

Iran’s conservative-dominated Parliament passed the bill on May 15, but the council must vet all bills before they become law.

The law calls on the government to develop a nuclear fuel cycle, which would include resuming the process of enriching uranium – a prospect that has drawn criticism from the United States and Europe because it could be used to develop atomic weapons.

Iran suspended enrichment of uranium last November under international pressure led by the United States, which accuses Tehran of trying to make nuclear weapons.