Iran has denied reports that Tehran had hindered International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of its nuclear sites, the local Fars News Agency reported yesterday.

The IAEA inspectors were continuing with their activities in Iran and their inspections had not been limited or troubled, Ali Soltanieh, Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA, told Fars.

Ali Soltanieh made the denial after Austria Press Agency (APA) reported Monday, citing unidentified IAEA officials, that Iran had refused UN inspectors' access to its underground nuclear facilities at Natanz in central Iran.

The officials believed that Iran's unprecedented refusal to allow the inspectors' access to the nuclear site could lead to further frustration of the international efforts to solve Iran's nuclear issue in a diplomatic way.

Asked about Iran's reported exclusion of two inspectors from the list of IAEA experts who had been scheduled to visit Iran's facilities, Soltanieh said that Iran had taken the measure in compliance with the comprehensive IAEA safeguard agreement.

"Every NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) member state is entitled to ask for the exclusion of one or more inspectors from the list of those who are nominated to pay visits to the nuclear facilities and sites of that specific country," he said, adding "This is nothing abnormal."

However, the IAEA accepted Tehran's demand in compliance with the rules, Soltanieh added.

The West has accused Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear power program, which was categorically denied by Tehran.

Iran, the world's fourth largest oil exporter, says it needs to enrich uranium as a peaceful, alternative energy source and has the right to do so under the NPT.