COOL DOWN

Iran Offers to Extend Inspections

To lower tensions with the West.

Iran has reportedly offered to allow United Nations nuclear inspectors to extend their three-day visit to the country beyond Tuesday, as Tehran seems to be trying to lower tensions with the West. Foreign Minister Ali Akba Salehi apparently said during a visit to Ethiopia that “we’ve always tried to put transparency as a principle” and that “the delegation has questions and the necessary answers will be given,” although European officials have said that Iran is making efforts to buy time while continuing to enrich uranium. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency landed in Iran over the weekend and are expected to visit an underground enrichment site in a bunker near Qum.