TEHRAN – A technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency has arrived in Iran for talks with nuclear experts, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, as a follow up to the UN nuclear agency chief’s visit to Tehran earlier this month.
“The delegation arrived in Iran and will hold technical talks with Iranian experts today, including on safeguards,” Esmaeil Baghaei said during a weekly press conference.
He said the discussions would focus purely on technical issues and pending safeguarding matters.
“The visit of the IAEA technical delegation is a continuation of the discussions that took place between the Director General (Grossi) and Iranian officials, and today they will have talks with officials of the Atomic Energy Organization, and it is only technical. The discussion will be about the remaining safeguards issues,” he said.
Baghaei confirmed that the next round of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. is planned for Saturday.
“Entering technical issues is time-consuming and an inseparable part of negotiations,” he said. “We have said that we are serious.”
He emphasized that sanctions relief must be comprehensive and include Iran’s access to its assets blocked in foreign banks due to U.S. sanctions. 
“An effective termination of sanctions is a key term that must include a diverse set of commitments. Ensuring free access to Iran’s resources and assets is our right.”
Last week, Iran and the United States held a third round of nuclear talks in Oman, where technical-level negotiations were also held.
Following the conclusion of these talks, Iran’s foreign minister said IAEA experts might join the next round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks due on Saturday.
Visiting Tehran on April 17, IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi said his agency could help achieve a positive outcome in the negotiations.
On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the latest state of cooperation between Iran and the UN nuclear agency with Grossi.
The IAEA director welcomed ongoing indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. and declared the agency’s readiness to provide any assistance in the process.
Araghchi said, as a responsible member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran will continue its cooperation with the IAEA in line with its legal and international obligations.
He expressed hope that all outstanding issues related to the Safeguards will be resolved as soon as possible through the agency’s technical and professional approach.
Araghchi also informed Grossi of the latest developments related to indirect talks between Iran and the United States.
Baghaei said any agreement with the U.S. must respect Tehran’s key demands, including the continuation of uranium enrichment inside the country and the effective lifting of sanctions.
He stressed that Iran’s fundamental negotiating principles remain unchanged. “Entering the details of any negotiation must be within the framework of broad 
outlines agreed upon by both sides,” he said.
Baghaei also addressed the role of European nations in the nuclear talks. “We hope the Europeans will play a constructive role,” he said, adding that Iran’s continued engagement with neighboring countries signals the Islamic Republic’s good will.
He further criticized U.S. pressure tactics, saying are not limited to Iran and are pursued against other countries like China.