Iran calls IAEA talks positive

TEHRAN, Feb. 2 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi described the talks recently held between Iranian and International Atomic Energy Agency officials as a step forward. A high-level delegation of the IAEA, headed by Herman Nackaerts, the IAEA deputy director general and the head of the IAEA Department of Safeguards, arrived in Iran on Sunday for a three-day visit and held talks with Iranian officials on the issues of concern to the UN nuclear watchdog. Salehi said that the meetings were “positive”, adding, “It was agreed that consultations will continue.” On what was discussed during the meetings, he said, “The team had questions about alleged (weapons) studies, and praise be to Allah, very good meetings were held.” Asked if the IAEA inspectors visited the country’s nuclear facilities, Salehi said that no inspection was carried out. “We would have been ready to make the preparations if they had wanted to conduct an inspection. “Some preliminary work has been carried out, and in future consultations whose details will be announced later by the relevant officials, it will become clear what steps will be taken next.”