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Iran, IAEA begin talks on nuclear issue

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Iran and representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have begun talks to defuse the crisis surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme. The IAEA delegation led by Olli Heinonen arrived early on Wednesday in Tehran for three-day talks. The dialogue is aimed at drawing up a plan that would address all outstanding concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The Americans have been accusing Iran of pursuing development of nuclear weapons — a charge that Tehran has consistently denied.

Iran has defied the call of the United Nations Security Council for suspending its uranium enrichment programme in return for comprehensive negotiations. Arguing that the Security Council’s proposal was meant to freeze its atomic programme permanently, Iran has said that it would not give up enrichment work.

Iran is in the process of expanding low grade uranium enrichment by installing more gas centrifuges. However, IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei had said on Monday that Iran has slowed the expansion of its uranium enrichment work.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed on Wednesday that Iran would continue to carry out enrichment on its own. Analysts point out that Iran was unlikely to budge from its position of pursuing enrichment.

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