Remain neutral, Iran tells IAEA

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TEHRAN, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Iran expects International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to avoid pressure from governments wary of Iran's nuclear ambitions, a minister said.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of Iran's national security committee, said Tehran was concerned the IAEA was overly influenced by the United States and other Western powers who say Iran's nuclear program may have a military aspect.

"It is the Islamic Republic of Iran's expectation from the international body to act within the IAEA regulations and the Non-Proliferation treaty so that talks will be fruitful," he was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.

Tehran this week said the Egyptian government would host a round of multilateral talks with Western powers over its nuclear program later this year.

IAEA inspectors left Tehran earlier this month without gaining access to the Parchin military complex outside of the capital. Inspectors said they suspect some parts of Iran's nuclear program have a military dimension.

Robert Kelley, a former IAEA inspector for Iraq, told Bloomberg News last week that inspectors "appear to be merely echoing the intelligence and analysis of a few member states" regarding Parchin.