BERLIN (AP) — The U.N. nuclear watchdog harshly criticized Iran on Saturday for effectively barring several of its most experienced inspectors from monitoring the country's disputed program.
The strongly worded statement came amid longstanding tensions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is tasked with monitoring a nuclear program that Western nations have long suspected is aimed at eventually developing a nuclear weapon.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, said Iran had withdrawn the designation of "several experienced Agency inspectors," barring them from taking part in the monitoring of its program.
"Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency’s most experienced inspectors designated for Iran,” he said.
The IAEA, the West and other countries say Iran had a secret military nuclear program it abandoned in 2003.
Persons:
Rafael Mariano Grossi, ”, Grossi, Nasser Kanaani, Donald Trump, Amir Vahdat
Organizations:
BERLIN, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Ministry, “, Associated
Locations:
Iran, United States, Britain, France, Germany, Vienna, Tehran, U.S . Iran, U.S, South Korea