IAEA Team in Iran for Nuclear Talks

Local Editor

A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency led by chief inspector Herman Nackaerts arrived early Thursday for talks with nuclear officials on Iran's nuclear program, ISNA news agency reported.

The UN watchdog revealed that the aim of the talks is "to sign an agreement on a structured approach giving IAEA inspectors broader access to sites, including the Parchin military site, and people working in Iran's nuclear program."
The resumption of talks with the IAEA comes after several meetings since the start of 2012.
One Vienna diplomat said that this team is larger than in past visits to Tehran in February and in May, and now included two "technical experts" who could conduct verification work at Parchin -- if invited.

"We also hope that Iran will allow us to go the site of Parchin, and if Iran would grant us access we would welcome that chance and we are ready to go," Nackaerts told reporters at Vienna airport on Wednesday.
The Islamic Republic announced earlier that if Modality Plan between Iran and the IAEA is finalized, the agency's inspectors will be allowed to inspect Parchin.
This comes as Iran continuously denied seeking or ever having sought the N-bomb.

For its part, Tehran said that the trip will focus on discussions regarding "Iran's nuclear rights as well as its peaceful nuclear activities," according to foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast.
"Certain issues that have possibly become a source of concern for (IAEA) officials can also be discussed," Mehmanparast said on Tuesday, without elaborating.
Before this session, representatives of the two sides held two rounds of talks in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in February and January.

Iran believes that as a signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org