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Tehran, IAEA Discuss Past, Look to Future

Tehran, IAEA Discuss  Past, Look to Future
Tehran, IAEA Discuss  Past, Look to Future

Two delegations from the International Atomic Energy Agency met officials in Tehran on Monday to continue talks on Iran's past nuclear activities and discuss how to continue cooperation.

The IAEA delegations comprised of Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards Tero Varjoranta and some of his high-level colleagues held meetings with officials, including the spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi, Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi and some members of the Supreme National Security Council.

Kamalvandi told ISNA on Sunday, "The visit by UN agency (director Yukiya Amano's) deputies and other officials is aimed at following up on consultations in Amano's trip."

The P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany), which are in talks with Tehran on its nuclear program, want Iran to grant more access to the IAEA and to answer its questions about previous nuclear work as part of a prospective nuclear deal.

The deal, which the two sides have until July 7 to finalize, would lift sanctions, with Iran accepting temporary constraints on its nuclear program in return.

Amano met President Hassan Rouhani and other officials last week in Tehran.

After the trip, he issued a statement posted on the IAEA's website, saying, "The purpose of the visit was to advance work towards the resolution of all outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear program, including clarification of possible military dimensions."

"I believe that both sides have a better understanding on some ways forward, though more work will be needed."

Iran denies the allegation that it has been seeking the capability to develop a nuclear weapon, saying its nuclear work is solely for civilian purposes.

"We also touched on the ongoing negotiations between E3+3 (also known as the P5+1) countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran towards a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the official name of the accord), and the Agency's monitoring and verification of nuclear-related measures under such agreement," the statement added.

Amano also spoke to reporters in Vienna on Saturday about his visit to Tehran.

"The IAEA has intensified engagement with P5+1 and Iran in order to make the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action technically sound," he told reporters.

"Progress was made on the way forward, but more work is needed. With 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."

"Once an agreement is reached on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the IAEA is ready to implement the nuclear related elements when requested," Amano added.

 

Financialtribune.com