International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano testified Sept. 20 before an Iranian special committee to review the country's comprehensive nuclear deal with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1). The presence of the IAEA chief in front of the conservative-led parliament gave the Iranian members of parliament an opportunity to air long-held grievances against the agency.

Amano, who had previously angered conservative Iranian media with comments about inspections of military sites in Iran, struck a conciliatory tone during his testimony, starting by saying, “I personally welcome cooperation between us. Since becoming the director of the IAEA in 2009, I made my first priority to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue through diplomacy because I believe in this path.”

According to Khane Melat, Iran’s parliamentary website, Amano continued, “In the last six years, this is the best opportunity to resolve Iran’s nuclear file. With the complete cooperation of Iran we can attract the trust of the international community toward Iran’s intentions of a peaceful nuclear program.” He reminded the Iranian members of parliament that cooperation between Iran and the IAEA dates back to the 1970s.

Amano said that the IAEA and Iran have agreed to a “road map” and that “significant steps have been taken.” He said the road map is “strong and with its own timetable,” adding that he hopes the remaining issues between Iran and the IAEA are resolved by the end of this calendar year. Amano stressed that this is not an “endless process,” according to the transcript.