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Iran to restrict nuclear inspections unless sanctions lifted

Government spokesperson Ali Rabiei said Iran would start restricting short-notice inspections of its nuclear facilities beginning next month.
Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei speaks during a news conference in the capital Tehran on July 22, 2019. - Iran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was a "legal measure", Rabiei said otoday.
Iran impounded the Stena Impero tanker on July 19, on allegations it failed to respond to distress calls and turned off its transponder after hitting a fishing boat. (Photo by str / AFP)        (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran will begin restricting UN inspectors' access to its nuclear sites next month if new US President Joe Biden doesn’t lift crippling sanctions imposed by the previous administration. 

The landmark 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, called on Iran to implement an Additional Protocol granting the International Atomic Energy Agency short notice access to Iran's nuclear sites. The IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, currently carries out regular inspections as well as the more intrusive inspections called for under the Additional Protocol. 

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