IAEA 'disappointed' as Iran stops UN nuke experts from visiting military site

California Telegraph (ANI) Wednesday 22nd February, 2012

Iran has stopped a team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from visiting a key military site in the country.

IAEA inspectors had sought to clarify the "possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear programme.

The IAEA issued a statement saying that no deal has been reached on inspecting the Parchin site, located south of Tehran, and that the team would be returning to Vienna after two days of 'disappointing' talks with Iranian officials.

"It is disappointing that Iran did not accept our request to visit Parchin," The BBC quoted IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, as saying.

According to the report, it is suspected that Parchin was the site where explosives related to nuclear weapons may have been tested in recent years.

In November 2011, the IAEA said that it had information suggesting Iran had carried out tests 'relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device'.

This led to decisions by the US and the European Union to tighten sanctions against Tehran, including measures targeting the country's oil industry. (ANI)