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Iran nuclear crisis: UN inspectors visit Arak plant | Iran nuclear crisis: UN inspectors visit Arak plant |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Inspectors from the UN's nuclear agency have visited Iran's Arak heavy water production plant for the first time in more than two years. | |
The visit comes two weeks after a six-month interim agreement was reached between Iran and world powers over the country's nuclear programme. | The visit comes two weeks after a six-month interim agreement was reached between Iran and world powers over the country's nuclear programme. |
Iran has agreed to curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief. | Iran has agreed to curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief. |
It has promised not to commission or fuel the Arak reactor during that time. | It has promised not to commission or fuel the Arak reactor during that time. |
The Arak heavy water production plant is designed to supply a research reactor under construction nearby. | The Arak heavy water production plant is designed to supply a research reactor under construction nearby. |
The Arak reactor is significant because if completed, it could open the way for the reprocessing of plutonium - a potential step towards a nuclear weapon. | The Arak reactor is significant because if completed, it could open the way for the reprocessing of plutonium - a potential step towards a nuclear weapon. |
Some world powers say Iran's uranium enrichment programme is geared towards making a weapon, but Tehran insists it only wants to be able to produce nuclear energy. | Some world powers say Iran's uranium enrichment programme is geared towards making a weapon, but Tehran insists it only wants to be able to produce nuclear energy. |
The inspection is the first real test of Iran's commitment to the interim agreement it signed with world powers two weeks ago, says the BBC's James Reynolds in neighbouring Turkey. | The inspection is the first real test of Iran's commitment to the interim agreement it signed with world powers two weeks ago, says the BBC's James Reynolds in neighbouring Turkey. |
The inspectors are due to return to their headquarters in Austria after completing the one-day inspection. | |
Under the international deal, Iran will receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in sanctions relief while talks continue to find a more permanent agreement. | Under the international deal, Iran will receive some $7bn (£4.3bn) in sanctions relief while talks continue to find a more permanent agreement. |