Iran has invited the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency for a visit as early as next week. Talks on establishing an inspections regime for Iran’s nuclear program have stalled since Yukiya Amano’s last visit in May 2012. On Tuesday, Amano presented his latest report saying his agency cannot verify Iran’s program is entirely peaceful.
Yukiya Amano: “The agency continues to verify the non-divergence of nuclear material declared by Iran under its safeguard agreement. However, we are unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.”
Ahead of the IAEA’s expected visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says he believes Iran could reach a nuclear deal with international powers including the United States as early as this week. Iranian officials are meeting foreign counterparts in Geneva beginning on Thursday. It’s the second round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program since moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office in August.