The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, on Monday said Iran has begun implementing measures aimed at resolving issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear plans.
Speaking at Vienna airport after his visit to Iran, Amano told reporters that out of the five practical measures within a cooperation framework, work had begun on two issues relating to possible military dimensions (PMDs) of Tehran’s nuclear program, which were to be taken by an Aug. 25 deadline.
“We have started, that is important. I expect progress will be made over the next week,” he added.
The two issues involve allegations of initiating high explosives, including the conduct of large-scale high explosives experimentation in Iran.
During his visit, Amano held talks with high-level Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani.
Amano said his visit to Iran was “a useful one,” stressing he was glad to hear a firm commitment from Iran to resolving all present and past issues through dialogue and cooperation with the IAEA.
Since moderate Rouhani took office in August 2013, analysts say Iran has been showing increasing willingness to fully cooperate with the IAEA.
Nuclear talks have since made progress in two tracks, between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the IAEA.
Under the framework of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA signed last November, Iran in May started to resolve PMD issues by providing the IAEA information of the reasons for developing exploding bridge wire detonators (EBW).
These detonators can be used to set off an atomic explosive device and also be applied for civilian purposes.
The agency said it has received further explanation forEBWsfrom Iran and is assessing the information.
“The agency will need to consider all past outstanding issues, including EBWs, integrating all of them in a system and assessing the system as a whole,” the UN nuclear watchdog chief said in Tehran last week.
http://www.neurope.eu/article/iaea-measures-being-implemented-iran-amano