U.N., Iran discuss uranium finds

BERLIN — The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said he met with his Iranian counterpart in Vienna for talks about an ongoing investigation into manmade uranium particles found at undeclared sites in Iran.

“Dialogue has restarted with Iran on clarification of outstanding safeguards issues,” Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, tweeted Monday night.

He said he met with Mohammad Eslami, vice president and head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. Along with the statement, Grossi posted photos of himself, Eslami and other negotiators.

The agency has for years sought answers from Iran to its questions about the uranium particles.

It has said Iran ran an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear program is peaceful.

The investigation has been a sticking point in negotiations to revive the 2015 deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in August that the agency’s investigation must be halted for Iran to recommit to the deal.