UN nuclear team fails again in Iran visit

VIENNA -- The UN nuclear agency said early Wednesday its experts have again failed to dent Iran's refusal to cooperate in probing allegations that Tehran covertly worked on an atomic arms program.

An International Atomic Energy Agency statement said Iran refused a request for access to a site where the agency suspects explosives testing related to a nuclear weapon took place. It said that despite "intensive efforts," no agreement was reached on how to relaunch the inquiry, which has been stalled for nearly four years.

The unusual timing of the statement, released after the IAEA team left on a return flight to Vienna, shortly after midnight in Europe, reflected the urgency the IAEA attached to the communique.

Earlier, a top Iranian general warned that the nation would pre-emptively strike anyone who threatens it. The statement by Gen. Mohammed Hejazi continues Tehran's defiant tone in its confrontation with Western countries that claim it is developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

"We do not wait for enemies to take action against us," said Hejazi, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported. "We will use all our means to protect our national interests." He heads the military's logistical wing.

The United States and Israel have not ruled out strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran said yesterday that the visiting UN team did not plan to inspect the country's nuclear facilities and would only hold talks with officials in Tehran.

The statement had cast doubt on how well UN inspectors can gauge whether Iran is moving ahead with its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons. The visit by the IAEA team, which started Monday, is the second in less than a month.

Tours of nuclear sites were not part of the IAEA visit three weeks ago, but state radio said Monday the UN team had asked to see the Parchin complex outside Tehran, suspected of making secret weapons.