- The Washington Times - Monday, March 4, 2013

The head of the United Nations’ agency on atomic energy said Iran should grant inspectors immediate access to the Parchin site, where higher-than-normal activity has been suspected.

The International Atomic Energy Agency hasn’t visited the site since 2005. In the years since, IAEA agents say they have received information that suggests a new inspection is warranted — that Iran is making gains into its nuclear weapons research, Agence France-Presse reports.

“I request Iran once again to provide access to the Parchin site without further delay, whether or not agreement has been reached on the structured approach,” Yukiya Amano said at an IAEA board of governors meeting, AFP reports. “Providing access to the Parchin site would be a positive step, which would help to demonstrate Iran’s willingness to engage with the Agency on the substance of our concerns.”

Iran, meanwhile, continues to stonewall.

Tehran officials say the IAEA’s suspicions are based on information from Western and Israeli spies, and is incorrect, AFP reports.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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