IAEA leader Grossi arrives in Iran for meetings

Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks during a press conference at the Agency headquarters in Vienna. Dean Calma/IAEA/dpa
Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks during a press conference at the Agency headquarters in Vienna. Dean Calma/IAEA/dpa
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The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has travelled to Iran for talks for the first time in more than a year.

Grossi arrived in the capital Tehran on Monday, according to Iranian media reports. The visit comes at a turbulent time given the recent direct military clashes between Iran and Israel.

As in previous years, the IAEA chief is expected to negotiate with top Iranian politicians on the country's nuclear programme.

In addition to the bilateral negotiations, according to Iranian media reports, Grossi is also due to take part in the country's first international nuclear conference on Tuesday.

Grossi has long been trying to get answers from Iran about past secret nuclear activities. According to Grossi, there are still "important information gaps."

A few days ago, Iran's nuclear chief Mohammed Eslami expressed confidence that the IAEA leader's trip could bring an end to the differences.

Iran had committed to severely restricting its nuclear programme in an agreement in 2015 in exchange for relief from sanctions.

The pact, which was intended to prevent Iran from building nuclear bombs, was terminated by then-US president Donald Trump in 2018.

In response, Tehran greatly expanded uranium enrichment and restricted IAEA inspections.