Russia: Iran must always allow IAEA inspections

Iran should always allow UN inspectors at its nuclear facilities, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday, a day after Tehran barred a group of nuclear inspectors from entering the country, according to a media report. "IAEA inspectors must under all circumstances have an opportunity to fulfill their functions in line with Iran's agreement with this international agency," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak was quoted as saying by ITAR-Tass news agency. Iran announced its decision to bar 38 International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors Monday, in an apparent retaliation for limited UN trade sanctions imposed last month over Tehran's refusal to end uranium enrichment - a process that can produce the material either for nuclear reactors or for nuclear bombs.