UN experts in Iran to discuss concerns of nuclear programme

U.N. - Middle East Tuesday 21st February, 2012

A five-member group of experts from the United Nations atomic energy watchdog is today continuing its visit to Iran, where the members are holding talks with officials about international concerns over the country's nuclear programme.

The talks in Tehran are "aimed at resolving all outstanding issues in relation to Iran's nuclear programme," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported today in a press release.

"We hope to have a couple [of] good and constructive days in Tehran," said Herman Nackaerts, the deputy director general for safeguards at IAEA and the head of the mission, before the team left Vienna where the agency is headquartered late on Sunday.

"This is, of course, a complex issue that may take a while, but we hope it will be constructive," he said, adding that the agency hopes "to have some concrete results after this trip."

IAEA experts also visited Tehran last month to discuss issues of concern, which focus on the clarification of possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but some countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

The Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Iran, citing the proliferation risks of its nuclear programme and its continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA.