Iran blocks UN nuke inspectors on test visit
Iran has blocked UN atomic experts on the first unannounced test inspection of an underground nuclear site where it enriches uranium, despite a pledge to allow such visits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had told Iran in March to allow its inspectors to install surveillance cameras at the site in Natanz.
Tehran refused but promised to allow frequent, unannounced visits.
A first test on April 21 of this agreement "was a total failure," said a diplomat in Vienna, home to the IAEA, who added that a successful unannounced inspection has not yet taken place.
"The Iranians did not let the IAEA inspectors into the halls where the cascades of centrifuges are," the diplomat said, referring to the production lines of centrifuges which enrich uranium.
"So they couldn't get details of what is going on there."
Problems with inspections were confirmed by two other envoys in Vienna.
Both Iranian and IAEA officials refused to comment.
At stake is Iranian compliance with inspections by the IAEA, the verification arm of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the world's basic agreement against the spread of atomic weapons.
The UN Security Council has imposed two rounds of sanctions against Iran for failing to stop uranium enrichment, which makes fuel for civilian nuclear power reactors but can also produce the explosive core of atom bombs.
Iran blocks UN nuke inspectors on test visit
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