Iran FM meets IAEA chief ahead of nuclear talks

DUBAI: Iran's foreign minister met with the UN nuclear watchdog ​chief on Monday, ahead of talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at resolving a decades-long nuclear dispute. 'I think that there's an ​opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that ⁠addresses the things we're concerned about. We'll be very open and welcoming to that. But I don't want to overstate it either. It's ​going to be hard. It's been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran, because we're dealing with radical Shia clerics who are making theological decisions, not geopolitical ones.' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he was in Geneva to 'achieve a fair and equitable deal'. 'What is not on the table: submission before threats,' Araqchi said.
Iran ​says its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes and is ready to assuage concerns regarding nuclear weapons by 'building trust that ⁠enrichment is and will ​stay for peaceful purposes.' Iran's Foreign Ministry said Araqchi had discussed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as Tehran's technical point of view regarding nuclear talks with the US during his meeting with IAEA head Rafael Grossi. — Reuters