Deal with Iran soon says UN nuclear watchdog

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Yukiya Amano, expects to sign a deal with Iran soon. The agreement concerns an investigation into claims Iran has developed nuclear weapons.

Following talks in Teheran with Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Amano confirmed that an agreement is on the horizon.

“A decision was made to conclude and sign the agreement. There remain some differences but Mr Jalili elaborated that differences would not be an obstacle to signing the agreement.The last time I said progress was made, this time I say the decision was made.”

The Israelis greeted the news with suspicion, saying that Iran had already violated past agreements. They fear a nuclear armed Iran, and believe it already has the capability to assemble a war-head.

New talks will be held in Baghdad on Wednesday. They aim to curb Iran’s suspected development of atom bombs, a charge which Iran denies.

The discussions will be led by Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief heading a coalition of the five UN Security Council permanent members – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – plus Germany.

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