Head of nuclear inspection in Iran removed

VIENNA, July 10 (UPI) -- Under pressure from Iran, Mohammed el-Baradei, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has removed the chief inspector of that country's nuclear program.

Chris Charlier of Belgium had complained that Iran was making inspections difficult and said publicly that he believed Iran was keeping parts of its nuclear research hidden from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Since April, I haven't been allowed to travel to Iran. Since April, I have had no more contact with the Iranian nuclear dossier," Charlier told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

A spokesman for the IAEA in Vienna confirmed that his removal was requested by Iran, Expatica reported.