Iran: Talks with IAEA positive

Salehi made the remark during a press conference in the Iranian capital on Sunday regarding the latest negotiations between the two sides, which took place on Thursday.

The Iranian foreign minister said Iran and the IAEA reached common ground on most of issues during the talks, and will discuss the remaining topics in the next meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Tehran on January 13.

He said the two sides discussed ways of hammering out a new modality plan to resolve the differences over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

The United States, Israel, and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran argues that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities, but has never found any evidence of divergence towards military objectives in the Islamic Republic's nuclear energy program.

Salehi also condemned the deployment of Patriot missiles belonging to the Western military alliance of NATO along the Turkish border with Syria, adding that the Syrian issue must be resolved by Syrians and without foreign interference.

He stressed that Iran has no intention to meddle in the internal affairs of other states and is merely working towards what Syrians want.

On November 21, Ankara formally asked NATO to deploy Patriot missiles on its border with Syria.

On December 4, the alliance approved to act according to Turkey’s request, despite strong opposition from Syria itself, Russia, China, and Iran.