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VIENNA - The International Atomic Energy Agency has urged Iran to drop a ban on 38 international inspectors imposed after it was slapped with sanctions, a spokesman for the UN nuclear watchdog said on Thursday.
The IAEA had said after the ban was announced on Monday that it would not undermine monitoring of Iranian nuclear sites as it had other inspectors qualified to do the job.
But the Vienna-based agency also said it would take up the issue with Tehran. Diplomats said the IAEA did not want to see a precedent set for hampering inspections and thereby escalating Iran's confrontation with Western powers.
"We sent a letter to Iran on Wednesday asking the Iranian authorities to reconsider their decision," an IAEA spokesman said.
The Islamic Republic said on Tuesday it was still cooperating with the IAEA despite barring the 38 inspectors, all nationals of Western states which sponsored the UN sanctions or backed them, from working in the country.
Iran is accused by the West of secretly trying to assemble atom bombs behind the cover of a professed civilian programme to produce nuclear power plant fuel. Tehran insists its plans are peaceful.
Iran has brushed off the UN Security Council's decision to prohibit transfers of sensitive materials and know-how to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes because Tehran refuses to stop enriching uranium.
- REUTERS
