TEHRAN, Iran – Officials from the United Nations nuclear agency arrived Saturday in Tehran for talks aimed at allaying concerns that Tehran is seeking a nuclear weapon.

It was still unclear whether the International Atomic Energy Agency team, headed by chief inspector Herman Nackaerts, would inspect nuclear sites or just discuss with Iranian officials possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program.

The IAEA team is expected to meet with Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Saedi Jalili, and atomic chief Fereydoun Abbasi.

“We are looking forward to start with a dialogue, a dialogue that is overdue since very long,” Nackaerts said in Vienna.

“In particular we hope that Iran will engage with us on our concerns regarding the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program,” said Nackaerts, who is heading the team along with Rafael Grossi, a top adviser to IAEA director Yukiya Amano.

Iran has said it will cooperate with the IAEA team during its three-day visit but indicated it would not give up uranium enrichment, which it considers a sovereign right.

“We have always been open with regards to our nuclear issues, and the IAEA team coming to Iran can make the necessary inspections,” Ali-Akbar Velayati, adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said.

 

Copy the Story Link