UN nuclear watchdog chief hopes for deal during Iran visit

By Julian Pecquet - 05/21/12 12:17 PM ET

The head of the United Nations's nuclear watchdog is in Iran for preliminary talks ahead of a critical meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday that could be the last best hope to avoid military action.

Monday's one-day trip — International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano's first to Iran since he took office in 2009 — has raised hopes of a breakthrough agreement to allow international inspection of suspected nuclear weapons research. Amano was slated to meet with Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, and Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Reuters reports.

The visit comes ahead of Wednesday's resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and a group of six nations, including the United States, regarding Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons program. Iran says its research is for peaceful purposes only, but has so far denied access to documents, scientists and suspected research sites.

Amano in particular wants a deal for IAEA inspectors to be able to visit Parchin, outside of Tehran, Reuters reports. Iranian officials say Parchin is a conventional military facility off-limits to foreign inspectors.