Iran wants to take own soil samples for IAEA

Officials say Iran wants its own officials to take soil samples at a site where it is alleged to have worked on a nuclear weapon, and the UN agency probing the suspicions may agree provided it is allowed to monitor the process.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is investigating suspected Iranian nuclear weapons research and development as part of a deal reached earlier this month between Iran and six world powers.

Iran denies any weapons work but has agreed to give the IAEA access to the Parchin site, where detonator experiments were allegedly conducted.

Two officials say that if the IAEA concedes sample-taking to Iran, it will demand stringent oversight. They demanded anonymity because their information is confidential.

Analysis of the samples would be carried out by the IAEA.

— AP