Iran Atomic Talks With UN Monitors Unexpectedly Extended

Negotiations between United Nations nuclear inspectors and Iran over access to suspected atomic installations in the Persian Gulf country were unexpectedly extended into a second day.

Discussions will continue today, Gil Tudor, the Vienna- based International Atomic Energy Agency’s spokeswoman, said by telephone. She declined to elaborate.

The IAEA’s investigation into alleged nuclear-weapons studies by Iranian scientists is in its 10th year. While the Islamic Republic denies it sought to build atomic bombs, it says it isn’t willing to cooperate fully with inspectors until its nuclear rights are recognized and it is allowed to see the evidence being used against it.

UN inspectors have repeatedly verified that Iran hasn’t diverted any of its declared uranium for weapons.

The IAEA previously announced a one-day round of talks in Tehran to wrap up a work plan to allow inspectors broader access to Iranian people, places and documents. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano warned on Jan. 11 that “negotiating with Iran is quite a challenge,” where even progress can lead to new setbacks.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Tirone in Vienna at jtirone@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at jhertling@bloomberg.net