38 nuclear inspectors are barred from entering Iran

IRAN has barred 38 inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog from entering the country, it was announced yesterday.

The move was a "first step" in limiting co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in line with a demand made by Iran's parliament after UN sanctions were imposed a month ago over its disputed nuclear programme.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of the foreign affairs and national security commission, said: "Iran has decided not to give entry permission to 38 inspectors from the IAEA and has announced this limitation to the IAEA officially."

The West accuses Iran of seeking to build atom bombs, while Tehran insists it aims only to generate electricity.

IAEA inspectors make routine checks of Iran's nuclear sites. Last year, in response to growing western pressure to halt its nuclear activity, Iran temporarily denied visas to some inspectors and curtailed the frequency of visits to facilities by those in the country.

Diplomats in Vienna, where the IAEA is based, said Iran had the right to reject any inspector it wanted and such a step was not prohibited by its accord with the agency.