Iran agrees with IAEA over taking 'practical steps'

Iran has agreed to take seven "practical steps" as part of its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a joint statement of Iran and IAEA said Sunday.

Based on the agreement, Iran will allow IAEA access to a uranium mine and yellow cake complex in the central province of Yazd, Xinhua quoted the statement posted on the website of Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) as saying.

Iran agreed to provide more information about its Arak heavy- water reactor and implement the agreed procedure on the reactor.

Also, Iran will provide information about its Lashkarabad Laser Center, unused material for fuel and enrichment as well as its need for exploding bridge-wire detonator (EBW).

The two-day talks between the two sides that concluded here Sunday were described as "constructive technical talks" in the statement.

The fresh round of negotiations between Iran and the IAEA on bilateral cooperation was "good, constructive and progressive", Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the AEOI said.

"... nothing was discussed about the possible military dimension of Iran's nuclear programme," a member of Iranian negotiating team said.

"About missile and deterrence programmes of Iran, nothing was discussed and the IAEA negotiating delegation did not have any demand from Iran in this regard."

Iran will implement the agreement by May 15, the statement said.

On Jan. 20, Iran and the P5+1 group, including United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, started implementation of the interim nuclear deal they clinched in Geneva on Nov. 24, 2013.

Under the agreement, Iran suspended 20-percent uranium enrichment and started the process of diluting and oxidizing its 196 kg stockpile of 20 per cent enriched uranium in exchange for partial relief of the sanctions imposed on its energy and financial sectors.

The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers will be held in the Austrian capital of Vienna Feb 18.