Overview

• Iran barred several of the UN nuclear watchdog's most experienced and expert inspectors from the team allowed to operate there, a move described as a 'very serious blow' to the agency's work by the IAEA chief.
• The barred inspectors were among the IAEA's top experts on uranium enrichment, with diplomats estimating the number at slightly more than a handful.
• The barring of inspectors has left only one enrichment expert in the team assigned to Iran, with the number of other enrichment experts available with the required know-how probably fewer than five.
• Iran's uranium enrichment program, the heart of its nuclear program, purifies uranium to levels as high as 60%, close to the roughly 90% that is weapons-grade.
• Despite Iran's denial of seeking nuclear weapons, the IAEA's director-general has warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.