Vienna, 22 May 2012 – The following is a partial transcript of comments by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano to journalists at Vienna airport on his return today from Iran:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I just came back from Tehran.  During my stay in Tehran, there was an important development on the structured approach document on which we have been working since January.

“The decision was made by me and Mr. Jalili to reach agreement on the structured approach.  Mr. Jalili elaborated that the existing difference will not be the obstacle for agreement.”

Question: You have reached an agreement?

DG Amano: “The decision was made to conclude and sign the agreement.  There remain some differences, but Mr. Jalili elaborated that the difference will not be the obstacle to reach an agreement.

“Last time I said progress was made.  This time I am saying a decision was made.”

Question: Will it go to the IAEA Board before being implemented?

DG Amano: “At this stage I can say it will be signed quite soon, but I cannot say how soon it will be. In a few days it will be clarified.”

Question: What are the differences that remain?

DG Amano: ”I hope you understand that I cannot share the details. But the document we are discussing is almost a clean text, and Mr Jalili says the difference will not be an obstacle to agreement.” [...]

“The very important thing is that I talked with policy-makers, decision-makers in Iran directly, and we understood each other’s positions better.  And I think that was the reason why we could make this important development.”

Question: Did you discuss access to Parchin?

DG Amano: “I have raised this issue of access to Parchin, and this issue will be addressed as a part of the implementation of the structured approach document.”

IAEA Press Office
[43] 1 2600 21273
press@iaea.org