IAEA nears deal with Iran ahead of `Big-6’ talks
22 May 2012
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations watchdog is expected to sign a deal with Iran soon on access to Iranian nuclear sites with potential for making an atomic bomb, paving way for Iran's talks with the EU big powers and the US.
Yukiya Amano, director-general of the IAEA, said that he had reached a deal with Iran on investigating Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons programme.
"A decision was made to conclude and sign the agreement ... I can say it will be signed quite soon," Amano told reporters in Vienna.
Amano said the accord would address the demand for access to an Iranian military site where nuclear weapons-relevant tests might have occurred.
The agency needs a few more details to be resolved but that these would not block progress, Amano said after returning from Tehran, where he held talks with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili.
Amano described the outcome of his meetings in Iran as an "important development".
