Iran refuses entry to UN nuclear watchdog envoy

TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian official says Tehran has denied entry into the country to a member of an International Atomic Energy Agency delegation.

The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Reza Najafi, Iran's envoy to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, as saying that Iran had a sovereign right to deny a visa to a delegation member.

Najafi did not identify the person, but said he was not an IAEA inspector and had a "particular nationality."

Iran in the past has refused to let in agency inspectors who have Western nationalities.

An agency delegation arrived Monday in the country for two-day talks - part of Iran's cooperation with the IAEA aimed at reaching a lasting agreement with world powers on its contested nuclear program.