No nukes at Parchin, Iran says

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TEHRAN, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Iran isn't engaged in nuclear activity at the Parchin military complex outside Tehran, a senior Iranian lawmaker said Friday.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of Iran's national security committee, said concerns that Iran was trying to hide controversial nuclear research at the military complex were groundless.

"We have no nuclear activities at Parchin and the center is a recognized military site and not engaged in our country's nuclear activities," he was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency were denied access to the Parchin facility during their last two visits to Iran. In November, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said he was concerned that Iran might be hiding nuclear activity at the complex.

Boroujerdi added that Tehran saw little reason to increase its commitments beyond existing agreements with the IAEA.

Tehran this week said the Egyptian government agreed to host talks between Iran and the so-called P5+1 -- the United States, Russia, China, France, Great Britain and Germany -- at some point this year. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected in Cairo next month.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.