IAEA chief says he hopes to improve Iran nuke status with new president Pezeshkian

Grossi says Iran's new leader has 'a different approach' to negotiations and hopes for a 'positive evolution' in talks

IAEA chief says Iran's new leader has 'a different approach' to negotiations and hopes for a 'positive evolution' in talks

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday he hoped to improve relations with Iran under its new president, Ebrahim Raisi, and revive talks on its nuclear programme.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said he had a "very good meeting" with Raisi in Tehran on Monday and that the new Iranian leader had shown "a different approach" to negotiations.

"I hope that this will be the beginning of a positive evolution in our relationship with Iran," Grossi told reporters in Vienna.

Grossi said he had discussed with Raisi the need for Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA and to address the agency's concerns about its nuclear programme.

The IAEA has been investigating Iran's nuclear programme for years and has found evidence that Iran has engaged in activities that could be used to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran has denied that it is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.

Grossi said he hoped that Raisi's election would provide an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues between Iran and the IAEA.

"I think that this is a good moment to try to improve our relationship with Iran and to start a new chapter in our cooperation," he said.

Raisi, a hardline cleric, was elected president of Iran in June.

He has said that he is committed to improving Iran's relations with the international community and has expressed a willingness to resume talks on its nuclear programme.

The United States and Iran have been engaged in indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, which was designed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The talks have been stalled for months, but there are hopes that they could be revived under Raisi.