Iran optimism as IAEA delegation arrives

Iran said it was optimistic a visit by international nuclear regulators would bring progress toward resolving the standoff over the nation's nuclear program. Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Sunday the delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency had arrived in Iran, the Mehr News Agency said. "A high level delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Iran and necessary preparations have been made, " Salehi told reporters during a visit to Ethiopia. "We are very optimistic about the mission and result of the work of this delegation." The IAEA team will be in Iran until Jan. 31 and is led by Deputy Director General for Safeguards Herman Nackaerts. "The agency team is going to Iran in a constructive spirit, and we trust that Iran will work with us in that same spirit," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a written statement. Iran insists its nuclear program is aimed at peaceful electricity generation; however the United States, Israel and other nations suspect it is a cover for nuclear weapons production.