TEHRAN – Senior inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who arrived in Tehran on Monday have started their work in Iran, an Iranian nuclear official told the Mehr News Agency on Monday.

The inspectors will conduct planned routine inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the IAEA Safeguards Agreement and take samples at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility so that the IAEA can technically determine the level that Iran has reached in the nuclear fuel cycle, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Last Thursday in Tehran, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei postponed the confirmation of Iran’s claim that it had joined the nuclear states until the inspections and samplings of the Natanz enrichment facility were carried out.

Olli Heinonen, ElBaradei’s deputy for safeguards issues, will also travel to Tehran at the head of an IAEA delegation on Friday to discuss the remaining issues, the official noted, adding that the delegation will start its work on Saturday.

The official stressed that these two trips were planned during ElBaradei’s recent visit to Iran so that the IAEA could get a clearer picture of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

In line with its commitments to international treaties, Iran will fully cooperate with the IAEA inspectors, he added.