Talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have resulted in an "understanding" that could lead to Tehran signing up to tougher inspections of its nuclear facilities, a senior Iranian official said Monday.
Iran's representative to the IAEA, Ali Akbar Salehi, told AFP his country "now has a more positive stance" towards the additional protocol of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following two days of "intensive negotiations".
"We found a mutual understanding. We had indicated some ambiguities and, in the course of our discussions, the ambiguities were removed," he said, adding that "our observations were taken into consideration".
Salehi said it was now up to the Iranian leadership to decide whether to sign the additional protocol, a key demand of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.
"I will remit my conclusions to my superiors, and we will have to wait to see what their decision will be."
In addition, he said he expected them to decide in "a matter of days or weeks" whether to accept the new understanding or seek further talks. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
