The International Atomic Energy Agency has struck a three-month deal with Iran giving it sufficient continued access to verify nuclear activity in the country, paving hte way for wider political and diplomatic talks between Tehran and the US.
The deal came ahead of a deadline set by Iran to stop intrusive checks of sites unless US sanctions are lifted.
Iran said it will go ahead with its threat to withdraw this week from the additional protocol, the agreement that gives inspectors from the IAEA powers of inspection.
However, following a weekend of talks with officials in Tehran, the IAEA’s director-general, Rafael Grossi, announced that he had struck what he described as “a temporary bilateral technical understanding” that will mitigate the impact of Iran’s withdrawal from the protocol, and give the IAEA confidence that it can continue to verify Iran’s nuclear activity.
…