Iran and UN nuclear agency to resolve "outstanding issues"


An agreement has been reached to resolve "all outstanding issues" related to Iran's nuclear programme, the UN nuclear agency has announced.

Director General Yukiya Amano of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister S. Abbas Araghchi in Vienna on Tuesday.

The Agency has extended its monitoring and verification activities in Iran until June 2015.

Tuesday's encounter is part of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano's efforts to advance a high-level dialogue between the Agency and the Middle Eastern country.

A statement by the UN nuclear agency said the meeting was "useful and facilitated a better understanding between the two sides."

Mr Amano and Deputy Foreign Minister Araghchi recognized the importance of continuing the dialogue.

The Agency chief had previously held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Munich on 7 February.
 
Iran's officials have repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

However, the IAEA has yet to corroborate the statement.

In 2003, the world discovered that Iran had been hiding its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

SOURCE: Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.