UN inspectors refused access to Iran nuclear site

Iran has turned away UN inspectors wanting to examine its underground nuclear site, heightening suspicions about its atomic agenda, diplomats and UN officials said today.

The diplomats and officials said Iran's unprecedented refusal to allow access to the facility at Natanz could seriously hamper international attempts to ensure Tehran is not trying to produce nuclear weapons as well as violate a key part of the Nonproliferation Treaty.

The Islamic republic has set tomorrow as the deadline for its formal response to an international offer of economic and political rewards if it freezes enrichment and negotiates on its nuclear programme. But even before that announcement, senior Iranian leaders have already ruled out an enrichment freeze.

Repeating that stance on the eve his country was scheduled to formally answer the offer of rewards if it cooperates - and punishment if it does not - Iran's supreme leader said that Tehran will continue to pursue the contentious nuclear technology. The UN Security Council has demanded that Iran suspend it by the end of the month or face the threat of sanctions.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its own decision and in the nuclear case, God willing, with patience and power, will continue its path," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying by state television.

He accused the United States of pressuring Iran despite Tehran's assertions that it was not seeking to develop nuclear weapons, as Washington and its key allies contend.