The statement by a spokesman of the International Atomic Energy Agency comes
after reports in Israeli and other media that an explosion had taken place last
week at the underground Fordow uranium enrichment facility and that much damage
had been done.
On January 28, Iran denied the reports as Western propaganda.
IAEA spokesman Gill Tudor on January 29 said such Iranian denials were
"consistent" with IAEA observations.
The United States has also said it did not believe the reports.
In late 2011, Fordow began producing uranium enriched to 20 percent fissile
purity. Iran says it needs the enriched fuel for a medical research reactor in
Tehran.
Several UN Security Council resolutions have ordered Iran to suspend all uranium
enrichment.
Based on AP and Reuters reporting
Copyright (c) 2013 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
