Iran To Allow Nuclear Inspectors Back

Washington, 16 March 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The head of the UN's atomic watchdog agency says Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors to return to the country before the end of the month.
Muhammad el-Baradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said during a visit to Washington on 15 March that Iranian officials had agreed to allow inspectors to return on 27 March.

Iran suspended international inspections last week, apparently in protest at an IAEA resolution that criticized Iran for failing to disclose parts of its nuclear program.

El-Baradei said he believes Iranian leaders have come to realize that their best option for proving that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only is to fully cooperate with the UN agency.