Iranian state media reports that the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, who has played a major role in recent talks with world powers, has had emergency surgery for a perforated bowel.
State television quoted Health Minister Hassan Hashemi as saying that doctors discovered the injury on the evening of May 11 and operated on it successfully.
Hashemi said, "His condition is satisfactory and he should be discharged from hospital in a few days."
As well as heading the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, the 66-year-old is also one of Iran's vice presidents.
Salehi played a major role in the technical talks that helped pave the way for a framework nuclear deal with six major powers on April 2.
Meanwhile, experts from Iran and the six world powers -- -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany -- gathered in Vienna on May 12 for the next round of talks meant to result in a nuclear deal to curb Tehran's atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The sides are aiming for a comprehensive agreement by the end of June.