TEHRAN: A top UN nuclear inspector arrived in Iran on Monday for a second round of talks on improving cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the official IRNA news agency reported.

IAEA deputy director in charge of inspections Olli Heinonen was in Iran earlier this month asking Tehran to provide more information about its questionable missile-related activities, diplomats in Vienna said. Iran has so far said it was not the agency’s business “to delve into those allegations”. However, Tehran described Heinonen’s previous trip as “constructive”.

“Heinonen has travelled to Tehran to continue previous talks about the trend of cooperation between Iran and the agency,” IRNA said.

The IAEA said in a report in May that alleged Iranian research into nuclear warheads was a “serious concern”. The next IAEA report on Iran is due in mid-September. Iran has so far ruled out a freeze or the suspension of uranium enrichment, which would start formal negotiations on the package proposed by the six powers — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

Uranium enrichment can be used to yield fuel for power plants or, if the process is adjusted, material for nuclear warheads.—Reuters