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IAEA chief hopeful on Iran nuclear inspection deal

Xinhua, May 23, 2012

• Agreement on probing suspected work on Iran's controversial nuclear program was expected to be signed soon, said Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday.

  Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano (L) and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili attend a joint press conference after a meeting in Tehran, capital of Iran, May 21, 2012. Amano arrived in Tehran Monday for crucial nuclear talks. [Adel Paziar/Xinhua]

  "There was an important development on the structured approach document on which we have been working since January," Amano told reporters at Vienna airport after return from his one-day trip to Tehran where he held talks with chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili

  Amano said the decision was made to reach agreement on the mechanics of giving the IAEA access to sites, scientists and documents it seeks to address international concerns over the country' nuclear activities.

  "There remain some differences, but Mr. Jalili elaborated that the differences will not be an obstacle to reach an agreement," Amano said.

  He added that the two sides "understood each other's positions better," which was the reason that "we could make this important development."

  One priority issue for IAEA in recent talks with Iran is the agency's demand for access to Iran's Parchin military site southeast of Tehran.

  Media said the IAEA has received reports that Iran had tested explosives which could be used to set off a nuclear charge.

  Iran denied such reports, and insisted access to Parchin would only be granted if Iran and the IAEA agree on certain conditions and steps.

  In response to questions on the matter, Amano said "I have raised this issue of access to Parchin, and this issue will be addressed as a part of the implementation of the structured approach document."

  Amano was quoted by Iranian semi-official Mehr news agency on Monday as saying that they held expansive and intensive talks in good atmosphere, and the progress in the dialogue will have positive impact on the wider nuclear talks beween Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Wednesday.

  New round of nuclear talks over the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear activities was resumed between the IAEA and Iran last week.

  After two days of negotiations, the two sides agreed to meet again, and Amano travelled to Tehran to discuss "issues of mutual interests" with high-level Iranian officials.

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