IAEA, Iran in good path to resolve differences: Grossi

Following his one-day trip to Tehran and upon his arrival in Vienna, Austria, Grossi underlined that the new consensus is not the finalized solution, but it is a tact in order to buy time to promote diplomacy.

Grossi stressed that he does not see the consensus as a long-term solution; however, he will inform other members of the IAEA Board of Governors of the result of his negotiations in Tehran to weigh their future moves.

The director of the UN atomic watchdog also noted that he managed to reach an agreement with the Iranian officials on the critical issue of preventing the loss of data of Iran’s nuclear program particularly on heavy water, rotors, centrifuges and uranium enrichment, which is an important achievement.

Depicting his talks with new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami as frank and constructive, Grossi said that the IAEA is always seeking to create solution. Now there is one way ahead and other meetings will be held.

He further said that his connection with Iran was cut off in a juncture, but the most recent visit to Tehran restored the connection.

The agreement with the previous Iranian administration should be abided by the new administration, as well, in order to make it possible for the remaining issues to be resolved, he added.

He also said that after the sessions in Vienna, he would return to Tehran to hold talks with top Iranian officials to speak about concerning issues and resolve problems.

The IAEA and Iran reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding that allowed the agency to continue with its necessary verification and monitoring activities for three months. The agreement was extended for another month before its expiry date, but then it has not been restored so far.

Grossi and Eslami signed a joint communiqué on Sunday; then, Tehran allowed the IAEA inspectors to service surveillance cameras at the Iranian nuclear sites and to substitute flash memories, which will be maintained in Iran.

Within the framework of existing interactions, both sides decided to continue holding talks at relevant levels, the statement said.

Grossi is going to meet with Eslami on the sidelines of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency and will visit Tehran in the near future to bolster cooperation between the agency and Iran.