Parchin Base Inspection Possible If Iran's Nuclear Rights Acknowledged

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

Iran says an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) request to inspect its Parchin military complex outside Tehran could be part of the next round of talks if the country's right to a nuclear program is acknowledged.

A group of IAEA inspectors led by Herman Nackaerts will resume talks in Tehran on February 13 to press for authorization to visit Parchin, where military nuclear research is believed to have been conducted.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters in Tehran on February 12 that "the discussion over visiting Parchin could be part of a deal."

Mehmanparast also said Iran is converting some of its higher-grade enriched uranium into fuel for its research reactor and has informed the IAEA about the move.

The West is concerned that Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies this.

Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters