IAEA chief: We are moving into more cooperative relationship with Iran

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says the UN nuclear watchdog and Tehran are developing a more cooperative relationship in order to resolve what he called open issues with Iran.

According to Press TV, Rafael Mariano Grossi made the remarks in a press conference in Vienna on Saturday after returning from Iran where he had talks with senior Iranian officials, including Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

“We are moving into a more cooperative relationship, things are moving toward a better atmosphere,” he said at the presser that was held at the Vienna International Airport following his return from Tehran.

The IAEA chief added that when in Tehran, he had held “very good talks” with the Iranian foreign minister.

Speaking to Grossi in Tehran earlier on Saturday, the top Iranian diplomat stressed the importance of improving cooperation with the UN nuclear agency on issues beyond supervision and inspection, including the IAEA's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear industry.

Amir-Abdollahian also hoped that the IAEA chief's visit to Tehran would further promote mutual confidence and cooperation.

“Iran has made commitment to work with the IAEA,” Grossi said of the proceedings of his visit to the Iranian capital.

At the end of the IAEA chief's visit to Tehran, Eslami and Grossi issued a joint statement on the importance of accelerating and strengthening their cooperation and dialogue in order to solve the remaining issues between the two sides.

ME