Iranians meet IAEA officials

VIENNA, May 14 (UPI) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency is upbeat about prospects for constructive dialogue over Iran's nuclear program, a director said.

Baghdad hosts a round of multilateral negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program next week. April talks in Turkey were described as positive, though few official details were publicized.

An Iranian delegation arrived Monday in Vienna to meet with IAEA officials ahead of the May 23 talks. They're the first such direct negotiations in three months.

IAEA chief inspector Herman Nackaerts said he was looking forward to constructive dialogue with Iranians officials.

"We are here to continue our dialogue with Iran in a positive spirit," he was quoted by Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying. "We aim to reach an agreement on an approach to resolve all the remaining issues on Iran's nuclear energy issue."

Iran is suspected of pursuing the technology needed to develop a nuclear weapon. IAEA delegates had said there may be some military aspects to certain parts of Iran's nuclear program. Tehran insists the program is for peaceful purposes.

The Iranian government said international treaties on nuclear technology are biased, though critics say more transparency is needed.