Iran

Iran, IAEA discuss cooperation in Vienna: Agency

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Representatives of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have met in the Austrian capital city of Vienna to review the progress in the implementation of their cooperation agreement, the Agency says.

In a statement issued following the meeting late on Monday, the IAEA said “progress was reviewed on the implementation of practical measures (to be taken by Iran)… agreed three months ago.”

“Iran has taken several actions and that some related work continues. Discussions on additional practical measures to be implemented in the next steps are ongoing,” added the IAEA, without providing further details.

In February, Tehran and the IAEA reached an agreement on seven practical measures to be implemented by the Islamic Republic as voluntary measures by May 15, 2014.

Tehran has agreed to provide mutually agreed relevant information and managed access to the Saghand uranium mine and the Ardakan concentration plant in the central province of Yazd.

Last week, Reuters cited diplomatic sources speaking on condition of anonymity as saying that the IAEA wants Iran to further clarify about one of those measures that include information about fast-functioning detonators, which can have both civilian and military uses.

The US, Israel and some of their allies claim that Iran’s nuclear energy program includes a non-civilian component. However, the Islamic Republic has categorically rejected the allegation.

The two sides also signed a joint statement last November to outline a roadmap on mutual cooperation on certain outstanding nuclear issues. Under the deal, Iran agreed, on a voluntary basis, to allow IAEA inspectors to visit the Arak heavy water plant in central and the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran.

The IAEA inspectors visited the Arak heavy water plant on December 8, 2013 They also made a five-hour visit to the Gachin uranium mine in late January.

Earlier this month, an IAEA delegation visited Saghand uranium mine and the Ardakan yellow-cake production site. They also talked about Arak heavy water reactor and agreed on how the Agency will carry out inspections of the plant.

The Monday meeting between Tehran and the Agency comes as Iran and the P5+1 – Russia, China, France, Britain and the US plus Germany – are set to start a fresh round of nuclear talks on Tuesday in an effort to reach a final deal aimed at fully resolving the dispute between the West and Iran over the latter’s nuclear energy program.

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