Iran rejects IAEA bid for talks on nuclear inspections

Detailed summary

Iran is resisting efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume comprehensive inspections of its nuclear facilities.

Iran has rejected talks on resuming nuclear inspections for the time being, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog.

Tehran told the organisation that this was not possible given the current security situation, according to an IAEA report issued on Friday.

Since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, the Islamic Republic has agreed to hardly any IAEA inspections.

UN nuclear inspectors have only been permitted a recent visit to the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

However, the IAEA and western states are demanding verification in particular of the almost weapons-grade uranium that Iran has produced in recent years.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has proposed a gradual rapprochement between his organisation and Tehran, according to his latest report.

He said this could help build trust and pave the way for a broader agreement.

Grossi called for technical talks on future inspections. He also demanded that Iran provide a status report on the facilities that had not been attacked by the US and Israel.

He stressed the IAEA's growing concern about a lack of information from Tehran on a planned additional uranium enrichment facility.

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