Iran's envoy to the ineffective International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the country is not obliged to open up its Taba parts manufacturing factory to the agency's inspections."Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has no obligation to allow [IAEA] inspectors to inspect this factory," Ali Asghar Soltanieh was quoted by IRNA as saying.
"Iran is always ready for talks with the 5+1 Group based on its rights and the NPT regulations," said Soltanieh when questioned by IRNA on Tehran's response to a letter by EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, to Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.
Iran recently announced plans to build "four to five" nuclear research reactors, following the successful production and testing of second and third-generation Iranian-brand centrifuges.
Tehran further announced fuel production or uranium enrichment to a purity level of 20 percent will not be halted.
As a signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, Iran insists on its legal right to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
This comes as the West, particularly the US, accuses Tehran of pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Iran has categorically dismissed the allegation as baseless, maintaining that its atomic program is merely aimed at peaceful purposes.