Iranian envoy accuses UN nuke agency of harassing Syria, says Israel real culprit

Iran: UN nuke agency hounding Syria

VIENNA — An Iranian envoy is accusing the U.N. nuclear agency of harassing Syria by leveling false allegations against Damascus in collusion with Israel and its allies.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh’s comments come as the 35-nation board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency turns its attention away from Iran and its nuclear activities to suspicions that Syria has a hidden nuclear program.

Israeli warplanes bombed what the U.S. says was a nearly finished nuclear reactor three years ago, launching an IAEA investigation. After an initial visit to the site, IAEA inspectors have not been allowed to return — or visit other suspect sites — and IAEA chief Yukiya Amano says Damascus is not cooperating with the probe.

Soltanieh told the board Thursday that Israel’s attack is the real issue and Syria has become targeted by a “vicious circle of endless questions and allegations.”

Syria denies hiding nuclear activities.