IAEA hails 'good' progress in Iran over nuclear deal

A senior official of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Monday hailed "good" progress in talks with Iran over its nuclear energy programme.

"Since November everything has gone as planned," said IAEA Deputy Director General for Safeguards Tero Tapio Varjoranta, adding the progress in cooperation with Tehran was "good".

Varjoranta made the remarks a day after Tehran and the IAEA reached an agreement on seven practical measures to be implemented by Iran as voluntary measures till May 15, reported the Press TV.

The two sides also reviewed progress on the implementation of the initial practical measures that were agreed upon in November 2013.

Varjoranta, who led the UN nuclear agency's delegation of inspectors in Tehran, said the agreement on the seven-step plan was "the first step that is taking place now". He added, "There are still a lot of outstanding issues."

Iran and the IAEA signed an agreement in November 2013 to outline a roadmap on mutual cooperation on certain nuclear issues. Under the deal, Iran agreed to allow the IAEA inspectors to visit the Arak heavy water plant and Gachin uranium mine in the country.

The IAEA inspectors visited the Arak heavy water plant Dec 8, 2013 as the first step in cooperation under the Iran-IAEA agreement.

The IAEA inspectors also visited the Gachin uranium mine the last month.