Diplomats: Iranian foreign minister meets IAEA chief amid Tehran push to avoid sanctions

Diplomats: Iranian minister meets IAEA chief

VIENNA — Diplomats say Iran’s foreign minister has met the head of the U.N. atomic monitoring agency amid a push by Tehran to avoid new U.N. sanctions.

One of the two diplomats said that Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, described the talks as “constructive.” That term usually means no breakthroughs on outstanding issues.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki also was meeting Michael Spindelegger, his Austrian counterpart, Sunday. Those talks were part of an Iranian push to persuade non-permanent U.N. Security Council members to oppose a U.S.-supported push for a fourth round of sanctions because of Tehran’s refusal to curb its nuclear activities.

The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive topic.