Islam Times - IAEA delegation arrives in Tehran for further discussions

Islam Times - A high-ranking delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran for talks on further cooperation.

he delegation, headed by IAEA Deputy Director General Herman Nackaerts, arrived in Tehran in the early hours of Monday.

"We hope to have a couple of good and constructive days in Tehran," said Nackaerts prior to departure of the five-member team from Vienna airport Sunday night.

Nackaerts also expressed optimism that the two-day talks with Iranian authorities would yield ‘real results,’ but did not comment further.

Iranian nuclear energy officials and those from the IAEA earlier wrapped up three days of negotiations in a positive and constructive atmosphere in Tehran on January 31.

In November 2011, the UN nuclear regulatory body released a controversial report, claiming that, prior to 2003, Iran had conducted activities related to the development of nuclear weapons. The report alleged that such activities "may still be ongoing,” without referring to any verifiable evidence on the case.

However, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely civilian and was established to generate electricity and produce radioisotopes for cancer treatment and other peaceful objectives. Tehran also argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology meant for peaceful purposes.