TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's supreme leader says the U.S. and its allies are influencing the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency's stance on Tehran's nuclear program.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday in comments broadcast on state television that recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency "show that this international agency lacks independence."
He said the watchdog "should not be influenced by the U.S." and other countries because that could undermine the agency's "prestige and reputation."
Khamenei's comments come two weeks after the IAEA expressed concern Iran may be currently working on a nuclear warhead.
The West accuses Iran of using its civilian nuclear program to mask efforts to build nuclear weapons. Iran says the program is for peaceful purposes.
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