The head of Iran’s nuclear energy agency says two United Nations inspectors have been barred from entering Iran for presenting what he described as “false information” on Iran’s nuclear work.
The Iranian Students News Agency quoted Ali Akbar Salehi Monday as saying the two International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors will not be allowed into Iran to visit its nuclear facilities.
Salehi accused the officials of disclosing information before it had been officially examined and filing a false report. He did not give details.
The move comes after the U.N. Security Council voted to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran for a nuclear program Western countries suspect is aimed at building weapons. Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes.
The country’s Supreme National Security Council issued a response Friday calling the new U.N. sanctions illegal.
The United States and the European Union have also expanded sanctions against Iran.
Russia’s foreign ministry strongly criticized the European and U.S. actions, saying the extra sanctions would undermine the Security Council and efforts among its members to act cooperatively on Iran.
The EU’s approved measures include a ban on new investment, technical assistance and transfers of technologies to Iran’s key oil and natural gas sector. The U.S. on Wednesday blacklisted a state-controlled Iranian bank and 22 petroleum and petrochemical companies, a designation that makes them off-limits to U.S. businesses. The U.S. also designated five front companies and more than 90 vessels that the Obama administration contends are used by Iran’s national maritime carrier, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, to evade sanctions.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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