Tehran, Apr 21, IRNA -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Head for Safeguards Agreement Olli Heinonen and Iranian nuclear negotiators started negotiations in Tehran Monday afternoon.

Heinonen heading a delegation arrived in Tehran Monday morning and was welcomed by Asghar Soltaniyeh, Iran's Permanent Envoy to IAEA, at Imam Khomeini International Airport, according to an Iranian official.

The official told IRNA that Iranian and IAEA delegations were holding talks on nuclear issues behind closed doors at Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO).

According to the official, IAEO Deputy Head for International affairs Mohammad Saeedi along with Soltaniyeh were also present in the talks. The Iranian delegation is headed by Javad Vaeedi, deputy head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) for international affairs.

Hermann Nackartes, head of regional section of IAEA Safeguards Agreement is accompanying Heinonen in his two-day visit to Tehran.

An informed source also told IRNA that the IAEA delegation will not inspect Iran's nuclear facilities during its two-day stay here, and that they will leave Tehran after holding talks with Iranian officials on Wednesday.

Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the goal behind Heinonen's visit was to hold negotiation on development of cooperation between Iran and IAEA.

The current negotiations are being held with an aim of showing goodwill in resolving Iran's nuclear case and that Iran's nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, the official added.

... Payvand News - 04/21/08 ... --