The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says
Iran should "reciprocate" recent overtures by the Obama administration
to end an international stand-off over Tehran's nuclear drive.
Mohamed ElBaradei said Monday that he is supportive of the United
States' change in approach from one of confrontation to one of
dialogue.
The IAEA is the United Nations' global nuclear watchdog agency, and has
called on Tehran to cooperate with its investigation of Iran's nuclear
program.
In Geneva on Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he
welcomed the new U.S. approach to Iran, but is still waiting for
"practical changes." He told reporters on the sidelines of a U.N.
racism conference that he supports a relationship between the two
countries based on mutual respect and justice.
The U.S. and its Western allies believe Iran's nuclear program may have
a military component. Iran says its atomic activities are for peaceful,
civilian use.
Six major world powers, including the U.S., said recently they would invite Iran to join in talks on its atomic program.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator has said Tehran is open to the discussions.