Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the IAEA, and Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran′s Supreme National Security Council, have announced today that Iran and the IAEA will start work on drafting a plan of action that will address all outstanding issues regarding Iran′s nuclear programme.

The plan of action would be part of a broader political understanding that Mr. Larijani will discuss with the EU negotiator, Mr. Javier Solana.

"I hope that in the next few weeks we should be able to start drawing a plan of action which I hope we should be able to conclude within two months and then start with the implementation of such a plan," Dr. ElBaradei commented. "I welcome this development because, as I have been saying for the last couple of years, this is key to our ability to be able to provide assurance about Iran′s nuclear programme."

At a press conference held at the IAEA′s headquarters in Vienna after a two-hour meeting, Dr. ElBaradei said that he and Mr. Larijani discussed modalities, priorities and timing of the plan. He also said that they had "a good exchange" on how the negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany should be revived. "We will continue to work together on the two fronts of verification and diplomacy. Establishing the facts on the ground, which is our job, would enable the development of a diplomatic solution," he commented.

After the meeting with Dr. ElBaradei, Mr. Larijani is due to travel to Lisbon for talks with Mr. Solana.