Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iran Nuclear Chief and IAEA Head Hold Talks

VOA News June 21, 2011

Iran's nuclear energy chief and the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog have held talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program on the sidelines of a week-long conference on nuclear safety.

Iran's Fereidoun Abbasi said he had a "good" discussion Tuesday in Vienna with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano, who has been critical of Iran's suspected nuclear aims.

Earlier this month, Amano said Iran may have carried out nuclear work with possible military purposes and criticized the country for not cooperating with international nuclear experts.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rejected the claim of the nuclear program's military ties - an assertion that originated from a recent United Nations report.

Western nations believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons capability under the cover of a civilian energy program. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.