UN inspectors to oversee Iran nuclear plant restart

Reuters: U.N. inspectors have arrived at a uranium conversion plant in Iran to install surveillance equipment and oversee the removal of seals as Tehran prepared to resume work there, a senior Iranian official said on Monday. Such a move would lead the Islamic state into direct confrontation with the European Union, which has warned Iran it faces being referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions if it resumes work at the plant near the central Iranian city of Isfahan. Reuters

TEHRAN – U.N. inspectors have arrived at a uranium conversion plant in Iran to install surveillance equipment and oversee the removal of seals as Tehran prepared to resume work there, a senior Iranian official said on Monday.

Such a move would lead the Islamic state into direct confrontation with the European Union, which has warned Iran it faces being referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions if it resumes work at the plant near the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

“The agency technicians have arrived at the uranium conversion facility to install surveillance cameras,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “Later, the seals will be removed.”

Iran denies U.S. accusations that its nuclear programme is a front for bomb making. It says it quickly needs to develop nuclear power as an alternative energy source to meet booming electricity demand and preserve its oil and gas reserves for export.

Britain, Germany and France have called an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Tuesday to warn Iran not to resume work at Isfahan.