Iranian officials and inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday held closed-door discussions, ahead of a crucial series of probes into the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
The talks between Iran's atomic agency and a team of IAEA inspectors, who arrived in Tehran overnight Wednesday, cover the modalities for visits across Iran in the coming days and weeks aimed at determining whether the country is secretly developing nuclear weapons, The AFP reported.
On Wednesday, Iran`s Vice President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, said nuclear technology has always been peaceful and transparent. Abtahi told reporters that decision on Iran`s accession to additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is too difficult.
He added that Majlis and government had in separate sessions discussed Iran`s accession to the additional protocol. The official hoped that the visit by the IAEA officials to Iran is another proof of his country's peaceful nuclear activities.
Asked which facility the IAEA experts planned to inspect during their visit, Abtahi said that based on the NPT additional protocol there is no restriction for the IAEA experts' visit. He said the visits will take place according to earlier agreements and discussions between Iran`s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) and the IAEA.
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