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UN nuclear weapons inspectors visit Iranian plant UN nuclear weapons inspectors visit Iranian plant
(about 1 hour later)
UN inspectors have visited an Iranian plant linked to a planned heavy water reactor that could yield nuclear bomb fuel, taking up an initial offer by Tehran to open its disputed nuclear programme to greater scrutiny.UN inspectors have visited an Iranian plant linked to a planned heavy water reactor that could yield nuclear bomb fuel, taking up an initial offer by Tehran to open its disputed nuclear programme to greater scrutiny.
It was the first time in more than two years that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been allowed to go to the Arak heavy water production plant, and follows a deal two weeks ago under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for easing of sanctions.It was the first time in more than two years that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been allowed to go to the Arak heavy water production plant, and follows a deal two weeks ago under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for easing of sanctions.
Iran's heavy-water plan, which is designed to supply a research reactor under construction nearby, is a major concern for the west because it could be used in the process of making a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. The plant, which is designed to supply a research reactor under construction nearby, is a major concern for the west because of its potential for making a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Two inspectors arrived in Tehran on Saturday and met experts from Iran's own atomic energy agency before travelling to Arak in the evening, Iran's ISNA news agency reported.Two inspectors arrived in Tehran on Saturday and met experts from Iran's own atomic energy agency before travelling to Arak in the evening, Iran's ISNA news agency reported.
"The inspection is under way and will be finished this afternoon, and they [the inspectors] will return to Tehran," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Iranian atomic energy agency. "The inspectors will go back to Vienna tonight.""The inspection is under way and will be finished this afternoon, and they [the inspectors] will return to Tehran," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Iranian atomic energy agency. "The inspectors will go back to Vienna tonight."
The inspection is part of a deal between the IAEA and Tehran, separate from the 24 November interim nuclear accord reached between Iran and the so-called P5+1 in Geneva.The inspection is part of a deal between the IAEA and Tehran, separate from the 24 November interim nuclear accord reached between Iran and the so-called P5+1 in Geneva.
Officials from Iran and the US, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia are to meet on 9-10 December in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, for expert-level talks on implementing the Geneva deal. Officials from Iran and the US, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia are to meet on 9-10 Decembertoday and tomorrow in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, for expert-level talks on implementing the Geneva deal.
Leading Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi said negotiations at foreign minister-level would resume after January 2014, according to the ISNA news agency. Leading Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi said negotiations at foreign minister level would resume after January, according to the ISNA. There is a "strong possibility" that the timing of another inspection, of the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran, will also be discussed in Vienna this week, Kamalvandi told ISNA. The IAEA says it wants to visit Gachin to get a better understanding of Iran's nuclear programme.
There is a "strong possibility" that the timing of another inspection, of the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran, will also be discussed in Vienna this week, Kamalvandi told ISNA. The IAEA says it wants to visit Gachin to get a better understanding of Iran's nuclear programme. US officials have said Washington may press Iran to dismantle part of the unfinished Arak nuclear reactor, but Kamalvandi said Tehran would not entertain such a demand.
US officials have said Washington might press Iran to dismantle part of the unfinished Arak nuclear reactor, but Kamalvandi said Tehran would not entertain such a demand.
"We won't accept getting into discussions about such issues. Iranian officials have repeated their stance over and over again: Iran's nuclear rights are non-negotiable," he said."We won't accept getting into discussions about such issues. Iranian officials have repeated their stance over and over again: Iran's nuclear rights are non-negotiable," he said.
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