Iran Claims Progress In Nuclear Talks Despite Absence Of Deal

Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali Asghar Soltanieh, gestures during a press conference at the 56th IAEA General Conference at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna in September.

Iran claims it has made progress in resolving its nuclear dispute with the United Nations' atomic watchdog even though the latest talks by the two sides failed to bring about a deal allowing UN inspectors into an Iranian military site.

Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) want to investigate allegations that Iran has carried out tests on triggers for nuclear weapons.

But they say the latest talks with Iranian officials on the issue ended on January 17 without a deal to revive their investigation into Iran's suspected nuclear weapons research.

On January 19, Iranian state media quoted Tehran's delegate at those talks -- Ali Asghar Soltanieh -- as saying the two sides "were able to, in fact, bridge the gap to some extent."

Soltanieh also insisted that Tehran will not stop its uranium enrichment program "for a moment."

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP