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Iran has not expanded the number of centrifuges enriching uranium at its Natanz nuclear site since the end of May after increasing capacity steadily over the previous three years, diplomats in Vienna have told Reuters.

The reason for the slowdown was unclear. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is based in the Austrian capital, is due to issue a report later this week that will influence big-power talks due to consider harsher sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear campaign.

Since May, Iran has been hit by unrest over alleged election fraud that has split the political establishment, a relative moderate has become head of its nuclear authority, and Western powers have said they will pursue harsh sanctions against Iran if it does not accept talks on its nuclear work by the end of September.