Inspectors visit Iran nuclear site
From CNN Correspondent Kasra Naji
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A satellite image of the Natanz nuclear plant.
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The National Council of Resistance of Iran claims it has found another secret nuclear facility. CNN's David Ensor reports.
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TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- A team of nuclear inspectors headed by United Nations International Atomic Energy chief Mohamed ElBaradei visited one of two new Iranian nuclear facilities Friday that U.S. officials have said are cause for "serious concern."
Iranian state-owned television said ElBaradei and his team were on their way back to Tehran after visiting the previously uninspected facility in the town of Natanz.
That site is a uranium enrichment facility. U.S. officials have said the Natanz facility and one in the town of Arak could be part of Iran's effort to build nuclear weapons.
Iran confirmed that the facilities are indeed nuclear plants, but it says the country's nuclear program is aimed at building nuclear power plants.
"Iranian experts have acquired the knowledge for civilian application of the nuclear technology," Iran's President Mohammed Khatami disclosed earlier this month. The Iranian leader added that it is the right of nations to do so.
Iran welcomes ElBaradei's visit and hopes it will give the U.N. atomic energy chief a chance "to form a precise assessment of Iran's nuclear program," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Asefi told CNN.
Iran, a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, said it has nothing to hide and the inspection team's visit is a chance for Iran to assure the international community that its nuclear program is peaceful and under the IAEA's supervision.
When ElBaradei arrived in Tehran, he told Iranian state-owned television that during his visit, he would encourage Iran to sign what is known as "The Additional Protocol," which will allow intrusive inspections by U.N. inspectors.
Iran's nuclear ambitions will be a major topic of discussion as Undersecretary of State John Bolton visits Moscow early next week. The United States is trying to persuade the Russians to cut back their assistance to Iran's nuclear program.
