Iran on 10 December confirmed that it would sign an additional International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) protocol, ending months of speculation on the matter. 'Last week the government gave its authorisation to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the representative of Iran at the IAEA to sign the additional protocol,' said government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh, who did not comment on when the text would be signed. By signing the paper, Iran will agree to tougher, more intrusive inspections. Ramazanzadeh said that after the text is signed, the government would submit a bill to the Iranian parliament for the protocol to be formally approved. The matter would then be passed on the Guardian Council, which would decide on whether the protocol fits into Islamic and Iranian law.