The UN nuclear agency's investigation into what it calls possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program could be completed by the end of the year with Tehran's help, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Saturday.
Following his talks in Tehran earlier this week, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said, "Progress was made on the way forward, but more work is needed."
"With the cooperation from Iran I think we can issue a report by the end of the year on the assessment of the clarification of the issues related to the possible military dimensions," Amano told reporters before heading into talks with global powers in Vienna, AFP reported.
His comments could mark a breakthrough in one of the thorniest issues still blocking an agreement between Iran and the major powers after almost two years of intense negotiations.
Both Iran and the United States have said that the talks are in the endgame, as they inch toward a deal.
Iran denies the accusations that it may have sought to develop a nuclear weapons capability and has refused to give UN inspectors access to military sites as part of the probe.
Iran says the allegations are based on bogus intelligence provided to a partial IAEA by the CIA and Israeli spy agency Mossad.
The talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany) are aimed at working out a long-term settlement to the long-drawn-out standoff over Tehran's nuclear program by the July 7 target date.
Amano said the IAEA has stepped up its engagement with the P5+1 in recent months to ensure that any deal is "technically sound."
"Once an agreement on the joint comprehensive plan of action (the official name for the prospective nuclear deal), the IAEA is ready to implement the nuclear-related elements when requested," he said.
