Iran offers to let inspectors into suspected nuclear site if ‘foreign threats’ stop

Deputy FM says IAEA may be allowed in Parchin base, where atomic work may have taken place

27 December 2012, 5:53 pm Edit

2004 satellite image of the military complex at Parchin, Iran. (AP/DigitalGlobe-Institute for Science and International Security)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian official is saying the country may open a controversial military site to inspectors of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

A Thursday report by independent Mardomsalari daily quotes Deputy Foreign Minister Hasan Qashqavi as saying the inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency may visit Parchin military site “if the foreign threats weaken”. He did not elaborate.

As high government officials rarely speak out on such sensitive issues, Qashqavi’s remarks were seen as echoing the views of Iran’s leadership.

Earlier this month IAEA inspectors on a trip to Tehran failed to visit Parchin, where they believe Iran has carried out some nuclear experiments.

Iran says Parchin is only a conventional military site and denies the West’s claims its nuclear program has a military dimension.