The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is optimistic that as envisaged in a roadmap agreement, the UN nuclear agency can prepare a final assessment report on Iran's nuclear past by the year end to clear the way for the implementation of the July 14 deal with major powers.
"We hope that the (roadmap) agreement will bear fruit and the case is closed by Dec. 15 so the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the official name of the accord) could enter the implementation phase," Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday, IRNA reported.
The roadmap agreement was signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency alongside the JCPOA, which places temporary constraints on Tehran's nuclear work in return for lifting international sanctions in the coming months when the deal goes into force.
Sanctions relief hinges on the IAEA's verification of Iran's compliance with the accord.
The roadmap set a timeline for measures by the two sides to conclude the agency's consideration of Tehran's past and present nuclear activities by mid-December.
As part of measures enshrined in the agreement, Iran presented relevant information and explanations to the UN nuclear watchdog on Aug. 15.
The roadmap requires Tehran to clear up the IAEA's questions by Oct. 15 to enable its Director General Yukiya Amano to submit a final assessment by Dec. 15 for action by the agency's board of governors.
The IAEA issued a statement on its website declaring that it had sent Iran questions to clarify ambiguities in the provided data, adding that it would hold technical meetings on the issue with Iranian officials in Tehran in the coming days.
Salehi told reporters after a meeting with Amano on the sidelines of the 59th Annual Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna that 13 experts from the Vienna-based agency were due to arrive in Tehran on Monday.
"Amano will travel to Iran within the next three to four days," he said.
"Some problems might emerge on the path we are following. But the two sides stressed in the meeting that problems must not block (cooperation)," Salehi added.
