VIENNA, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The U.N. nuclear agency says it is able to continue inspections in Iran, although Tehran is preventing 38 U.N. inspectors from entering the country.
"Details of inspector designation is a confidential matter between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the country concerned. In this case, we are discussing with Iran its request for withdrawing the designation of certain safeguards inspectors," said Melissa Fleming, a spokeswoman for the IAEA in Vienna Monday.
"It should be noted however, that there are a sufficient number of inspectors designated for Iran and the IAEA is able to perform its inspection activities in accordance with Iran's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement," she said.
The chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaoddin Boroujerdi, told the Fars news agency Monday Tehran would still permit inspection of its nuclear sites.
He said the decision to deny entry to 38 U.N. inspectors did not mean Iran was refusing to cooperate with the agency.
Iran also said it would conduct three days of short-range missile tests beginning Sunday, the Fars News Agency reported.
In a Dec. 23 resolution, the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions against Iran in response to its uranium-enrichment programs. The council banned the sale of materials and technology that could be used for Iran's nuclear activities. The sanctions were immediately rejected by Tehran, which claims its nuclear program is for peaceful, energy-related purposes.
