Iran Says It Agreed To Seven 'Practical' Nuclear Measures

IAEA inspectors check the enrichment process inside the Iranian uranium-enrichment plant at Natanz last month.

Iran has agreed to take seven practical, preliminary measures on nuclear cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The pledge came in a joint statement by Tehran and the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog, on February 9.

The measures include giving the IAEA access to the Saghand mine in Yazd, the Ardakan concentration plant, and Lashkar Abad Laser Center.

The statement was issued after two days of negotiations in Tehran which it described as "constructive technical talks."

The IAEA has been trying to persuade Iran to finally start addressing long-held suspicions that Tehran has researched how to build nuclear weapons.

Tehran rejects the accusations.

The talks came 10 days before Iran and world powers start negotiations on a long-term nuclear agreement building upon an interim deal that took effect in January.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP