Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog are making headway towards a framework deal on how to tackle concerns about its atomic activity, diplomats say. The deal will be a potential bargaining chip for Tehran in next week’s negotiations with world powers.
Iran says such an agreement is needed before it can consider a request by UN inspectors to visit the Parchin military site, where they believe explosives tests relevant for developing nuclear weapons may have been carried out.
The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran held talks this week in Vienna and are due to meet again on May 21st, two days before Tehran and the six global powers discuss the future of its disputed nuclear programme in Baghdad. Western diplomats accredited to the UN agency said they would welcome any sign that Iran is prepared to stop four years of stonewalling an IAEA investigation. – (Reuters)