IAEA inspectors arrive in Tehran

As part of a deal that will ease sanctions, Iran has allowed for the international inspection of its nuclear programme.

Inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog arrived in Tehran to oversee implementation of a landmark deal between Iran and six world powers that puts temporary curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, state media reported.

The team, led by engineer Massimo Aparo, will begin reporting to the IAEA on Monday, marking the official start of the deal, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Officials from Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation met the IAEA team at the airport, with the two groups scheduled to have meetings on Saturday.

Under the terms of the agreement - with the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - Iran will stop work on some parts of its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from some international sanctions which have badly damaged the country's economy.

Clinched after years of fruitless negotiations, the accord is to come into effect on January 20 and will last for six months, during which time the IAEA team will visit the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities to ensure Iran stops enriching uranium to 20 percent, according to Fars News.

Both measures are to be monitored and verified by the IAEA inspectors.

In return, Iran will be granted modest relief from Western sanctions and access to nearly $4.2bn of frozen assets in eight instalments.
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