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VIENNA – The U.N. nuclear agency is investigating fears from its experts that their cell phones and lap tops have been hacked into by Iranian officials looking for confidential information.

Diplomats tell The Associated press that the hardware apparently was tampered with while left unattended during inspection tours in the Islamic Republic.

One of the diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency believes such incidents occurred earlier this year.

He says the Vienna-based nuclear watchdog agency was alerted by inspectors reporting "unusual events," suggesting that outsiders had tampered with their electronic equipment.

Two other diplomats in senior positions have confirmed the essence of the report but said they had no further information.

All three envoys come from member nations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and spoke on condition of anonymity because their information is privileged.