Iran nuclear investigation accord 'expected soon'

[Gerald]

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has said it is close to signing an accord with Iran after his talks in Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief said the deal could increase Tehran's co-operation with IAEA investigations into its atomic activity.

Yukiya Amano said he expected a deal with Iran to be signed "quite soon".

The US and its allies accuse Iran of developing a nuclear bomb, but Tehran says its purpose is peaceful.

"[A] decision was made to conclude and sign the agreement... I can say it will be signed quite soon," Mr Amano said shortly after arriving back in Vienna, where the IAEA is based.

He said that after holding talks in the Iranian capital with the country's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, "we understand each other's position better" though differences remained on "some details".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18157944

Note: 22 May 2012 Last updated at 10:56 GMT