IAEA experts hold talks on nuclear 'differences' in Iran

Experts from the UN atomic watchdog were holding talks in Tehran Wednesday aimed at reaching accord on inspections that would allow investigations into a possible military dimension of Iran's nuclear drive.

The discussions are taking place two weeks ahead of a new round of talks between Iran and six world powers in parallel diplomatic efforts, which are due to resume in Kazakhstan on February 26 after an eight-month hiatus.

Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and an Iranian nuclear team led by Tehran's IAEA envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh, began talks in the morning, the ISNA news agency reported.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that in Wednesday's negotiations Iran's rights to pursue peaceful nuclear technology had to be protected.

"It is certain that Iran's definite rights should be respected, as well as law, regulations and agreement between Iran and the agency," he told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting.

The goal of the meeting in Tehran, the third of its kind in the past three months, is to "finalise the structured approach document", according to Herman Nackaerts, the IAEA's chief inspector who is leading the delegation to Tehran.

Iran is slapped by multiple sets of UN Security Council sanctions for its refusal to stop uranium enrichment. The United States and the European Union have also imposed their own additional sanctions.