Iran invites foreign diplomats to tour nuclear sites

Iran has confirmed that it has invited foreign diplomats to tour its nuclear facilities – an invitation that comes ahead of talks with key world powers over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

Delegates from Russia, China and the EU are reported to be among those invited, but it is not clear as yet whether the offer was extended to officials from the US.

"The representatives of some European Union countries, NAM [Non-Aligned Movement], and some representatives of the five-plus-one [six world powers] have been invited to visit our nuclear sites," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast confirmed to reporters.

The visit is due to take place ahead of a new round of talks on Tehran's nuclear programme between Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members - the US, Russia, China, the UK and France - plus Germany, to be held for Istanbul, Turkey, in late January.

The talks will follow a two-day meeting in Geneva early last month which EU foreign affairs chief Baroness Ashton described as "substantive".

Many Western countries suspect Iran is developing nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its programme is peaceful.

Iran has invited Russia, China, the EU and its allies among the Arab and developing world, according to a letter seen by the Associated Press news agency.

Bushehr and Natanz were the venues to be toured, AP reports, citing a diplomat accredited to the IAEA.