IAEA chief reports concrete progress in nuclear talks with Iran

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said concrete progress was made in negotiations with Iran during talks involving US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials. Rafael Grossi told a press conference in Washington that the discussions had identified areas and topics for joint work, and that the file could be closed when the time comes. Grossi confirmed that Iran still holds 440 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, a figure that remains a central point of contention in non-proliferation talks. Iranian Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami said inspections of nuclear facilities that have been struck in military attacks would only be possible after parliamentary approval and the establishment of specific security protocols, calling any current inspection of those sites unacceptable. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington has not ruled out a deal on Iran's civilian nuclear program, but tied any such agreement to the termination of Tehran's weapons program. No further details on the timeline or structure of the talks were immediately available.