No progress in Iran talks with IAEA

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), spoke earlier today after his visit to Tehran and said that no headway was made with Iran regarding the pending issues related to its nuclear programme. Yukiya Amano met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday along with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani.

“The purpose of the visit was to advance work towards the resolution of all outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, including clarification of possible military dimensions,” Amano said in a statement. He added that he believed that both sides have a better understanding on some ways forward, though more work will be needed.

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries are seeking to reach a final agreement by means of talks in Vienna, under which Iran will agree to reduce and limit its nuclear research in exchange for lifting the international sanctions imposed on it. The government in Tehran denies that it is seeking to possess a nuclear bomb.

The IAEA will play a vital role in monitoring the final agreement and ensuring its implementation. Tehran is stalling the investigation conducted by the IAEA pertaining to the possible military aspects of Iran’s past nuclear activities. The investigation is being conducted in tandem with the political talks.