VIENNA: Iran has allowed UN nuclear inspectors access to a reactor under construction after blocking visits for a year, and has let them upgrade monitoring at another site ahead of a crucial report on its atomic program.

Iran allowed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials to inspect the site of the Arak heavy water reactor last week, diplomats said. The agency has been urging Iran to grant it access to verify it is for peaceful uses only.

Diplomats also said Iran had an upgrade to IAEA monitoring at the Natanz uranium enrichment plant. The IAEA is due to circulate its latest report on Iran next week.