Iran Offers ‘New Approach’ to End Deadlock With IAEA - 'Productive Talks'

Talks between Iran and IAEA have gone into a second day after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is also a senior member of Iranian nuclear negotiation team, offered a “new approach” meant to end a two-year deadlock with the UN nuclear agency over terms of inspection of Parchin military base. IAEA has been seeking to probe allegations that Iran has carried out research related to building nuclear weapons at the site. (AP, 29 October)

Araqchi, who held talks with IAEA chief Yukiya Amano on Monday, gave no details of the new Iranian proposal.

Meanwhile, Iran’s new ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, as saying the new proposal to IAEA is practical and meant to “solve the issue.”

“Our proposal is practical and intended to solve the issue between Iran and the agency (IAEA)," Najafi said, adding that Iranian and IAEA experts had entered into “substantive discussions” during the latest round of negotiations, which began on Monday and resumed at 10 am local time in Vienna. (ISNA/Reuters, 29 October)

The all-important meeting between Iran and the six major powers is scheduled for 7-8 November in Geneva.

UPDATE: IAEA and Iran came out of talks today speaking of progress after nearly two years of deadlock, calling the talks "productive". The two sides also  agreed to meet again on 11 November in Tehran. IAEA will respond to new proposals offered by Iran in the meeting in Vienna that started on Monday and ended today.

Photo credit: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (R) and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano shake hands in Vienna. Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi is on the left. 28 October 2013. (IRNA/Press TV)