UN nuclear watchdog official visits Tehran, talks with Iranian officials

TEHRAN, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- A senior official from the UN nuclear watchdog held talks in Tehran on Monday, marking the first high-level visit since Iran suspended its cooperation with the agency in June, state media reported.

Massimo Aparo, deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with officials from Iran's Foreign Ministry and nuclear authorities.

The discussions centered on a "future framework for cooperation" following Tehran's decision to halt its collaboration, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the official IRNA news agency. He added that both sides agreed to continue consultations.

According to Gharibabadi, the Iranian delegation also criticized the IAEA for failing to respond to alleged "aggression," and called for changes to the agency's "flawed processes" regarding its nuclear program.

In late June, Iran's parliament suspended cooperation with the IAEA, accusing Israel and the United States of carrying out strikes on its nuclear facilities and assassinating scientists earlier that month. ■