Iran faces pressure over restricted access for UN inspectors

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Iran to allow immediate inspections of all its nuclear facilities. In a confidential report received by member states before the council meeting, the agency identified Isfahan as a key location.

This is where a new uranium enrichment plant is to be located and where uranium enriched to a level almost usable for nuclear weapons is stored.

The IAEA said it was ‘essential and urgent’ to resume verification activities in Iran, while acknowledging that military attacks on nuclear facilities had created an unprecedented situation. The United States and Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and Tehran has since failed to provide information on the status of its highly enriched uranium stocks or allow access to the affected sites.

According to the IAEA, Iran had 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent before the attacks, which, after further enrichment, could be sufficient to produce several nuclear weapons. The report confirmed for the first time that material enriched to 20 and 60 per cent was stored in the tunnel complex in Isfahan.

The agency also noted that Iran has not yet allowed it access to the fourth declared uranium enrichment plant.

(reuters, max)