Iran's Barring of Top IAEA Inspectors Deemed 'Serious Blow' to Agency's Work

Move leaves only one enrichment expert in the team assigned to Iran, with Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile enough for 'several' nuclear bombs, warns IAEA chief.

Iran barred several of the UN nuclear watchdog's most experienced and expert inspectors from the team allowed to operate there, a move described as a 'very serious blow' to the agency's work by the IAEA chief.
The barred inspectors were among the IAEA's top experts on uranium enrichment, with diplomats estimating the number at slightly more than a handful.
The barring of inspectors has left only one enrichment expert in the team assigned to Iran, with the number of other enrichment experts available with the required know-how probably fewer than five.
Iran's uranium enrichment program, the heart of its nuclear program, purifies uranium to levels as high as 60%, close to the roughly 90% that is weapons-grade.
Despite Iran's denial of seeking nuclear weapons, the IAEA's director-general has warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.