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Iran nuclear crisis: UN inspectors arrive in Iran Iran nuclear crisis: UN inspectors arrive in Iran
(40 minutes later)
UN nuclear inspectors have arrived in Tehran for the second time in a month to discuss Iran's nuclear programme.UN nuclear inspectors have arrived in Tehran for the second time in a month to discuss Iran's nuclear programme.
Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said his team's "highest priority" was to clarify the "possible military dimensions" of the nuclear programme.Chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said his team's "highest priority" was to clarify the "possible military dimensions" of the nuclear programme.
But he cautioned that progress "may take a while".But he cautioned that progress "may take a while".
Iran insists its uranium enrichment work is peaceful in purpose, but Western nations believe the programme is geared towards making weapons.Iran insists its uranium enrichment work is peaceful in purpose, but Western nations believe the programme is geared towards making weapons.
Tensions have risen on allegations that Israel may carry out a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Tensions have risen over speculation that Israel may carry out a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon arrived in Israel at the weekend for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon arrived in Israel at the weekend for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.
But the head the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said Gen Martin Dempsey warned on Sunday it was still unclear Iran was at a stage to assemble a nuclear bomb. But the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, warned on Sunday that it was still unclear whether Iran was at a stage to assemble a nuclear bomb.
"On that basis, I think it would be premature to exclusively decide that the time for a military option was upon us," Gen Dempsey said."On that basis, I think it would be premature to exclusively decide that the time for a military option was upon us," Gen Dempsey said.
Iran said on Sunday it had halted oil sales to British and French companies, ahead of a European Union oil embargo set to begin on 1 July. Tehran is also facing tough financial sanctions imposed by the United States. 'New developments'
'Complex issue' Last week Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took part in an elaborate ceremony to unveil new developments in his country's nuclear programme.
The IAEA inspectors described their visit in January as positive, and said Iran was "committed" to "resolving all outstanding issues". Tehran said it had used domestically-made nuclear fuel in a reactor for the first time, as well as developing faster, more efficient uranium enrichment centrifuges.
State TV showed the president inspecting the fuel rods as they were loaded into a reactor.
The IAEA inspectors described their last visit, in January, as positive, and said Iran was "committed" to "resolving all outstanding issues".
Mr Nackaerts said on Sunday that he hoped to have a "couple of good and constructive days in Tehran".Mr Nackaerts said on Sunday that he hoped to have a "couple of good and constructive days in Tehran".
"Importantly we hope for some concrete results from the trip. The highest priority remains of course the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme, but we want to tackle all outstanding issues," he said."Importantly we hope for some concrete results from the trip. The highest priority remains of course the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme, but we want to tackle all outstanding issues," he said.
"This is of course a very complex issue that may take a while. But we hope it can be constructive"."This is of course a very complex issue that may take a while. But we hope it can be constructive".
The inspectors' evaluation of their visits may form part of the next written report on Iran's nuclear programme, expected later in February.The inspectors' evaluation of their visits may form part of the next written report on Iran's nuclear programme, expected later in February.
Tehran says its nuclear activities are simply for electricity generation.Tehran says its nuclear activities are simply for electricity generation.
But last November, the IAEA said it had information suggesting Iran had carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".But last November, the IAEA said it had information suggesting Iran had carried out tests "relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device".
That information led to a decision by the US and the European Union to tighten sanctions against Iran, including measures targeting the country's lucrative oil industry.That information led to a decision by the US and the European Union to tighten sanctions against Iran, including measures targeting the country's lucrative oil industry.
Iran said on Sunday it had halted oil sales to British and French companies, ahead of a European Union oil embargo set to begin on 1 July. Analysts say this gesture of retaliation is largely symbolic, as neither the UK nor France import a large proportion of their oil from Iran.