Iran lifts ban on UN inspectors at nuclear sites

Iran announced Thursday it will allow United Nations inspectors to visit a nearly completed nuclear reactor as well as grant greater monitoring rights at another atomic site, according to diplomats.

The diplomats said International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors visited the nearly finished Arak heavy water reactor last week after a yearlong ban.

Separately, they said Iran agreed last week to IAEA requests to expand its monitoring of the Natanz uranium enrichment site. It produces material for nuclear fuel that can be further enriched to provide fissile material for warheads.

The diplomats demanded anonymity Thursday because their information was
confidential.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Western powers will have to respond with further sanctions against Iran if there is no progress on nuclear talks. More