TOKYO: A "very strong" verification system is needed in Iran following the Middle East conflict to ensure that the country does not develop nuclear weapons, the UN atomic watchdog chief said Friday.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi's remarks come as the United States and Iran negotiate a broader agreement to end the war, with Tehran's nuclear programme remaining one of the key sticking points.
"I think the objective of this (recent US-Iran) agreement is to ensure that there is no development of nuclear weapons in Iran. The government of Iran has declared quite clearly that this is not their intention," Grossi told reporters in Japan.
"But of course intentions are not enough. We have to have a very strong verification system in place... as soon as is practicable," the IAEA chief said.
Grossi also said that the watchdog had "barely initiated" talks with Iran following its recent preliminary agreement with the United States about what to do with Tehran's uranium stockpile.
"Initial conversations have taken place... We expect this work to pick up soon," Grossi said.
Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire an atomic bomb, while remaining adamant about its right to operate a full-scale civilian nuclear programme.
Under a law passed by the Iranian parliament in the wake of last year's 12-day war with Israel, Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA last July.