DHAKA: An Iranian news agency says inspectors from the United Nations nuclear agency have arrived in Teheran to visit a nuclear facility that has long been off-limits to outside experts.

The semi-official Mehr news agency said on Saturday that two inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency will visit the heavy water production plant in the central city of Arak on Sunday.

It did not provide further details, reports The Straits Times.

Iran agreed last month with the IAEA to allow expanded UN monitoring at the country’s nuclear sites, including the Arak facility.

That agreement was not part of a separate interim deal that Iran also struck last month with world powers.

The six-power deal commits Teheran to freeze its nuclear programme for six months in return for limited relief from economic sanctions.

Meanwhile, Iran’s president defended the interim deal, saying on Saturday that improving the economy is as important as maintaining a peaceful nuclear programme.

BDST: 1829 HRS, DEC 07, 2013