SAUDI ARABIA has been accused of running a secret nuclear programme, with its regional rival Iran accusing it of blocking inspections by the global atomic watchdog.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian ambassador to Vienna-based international organisations, alleged on Thursday that there was a “covert nuclear weapons programme in the country” and called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to brief its members on developments.

He warned that Saudi Arabia would be able to hide some of its nuclear activity if inspections continued to be prevented from investigating.