The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it will hold a technical meeting in Tehran with the Iranian negotiator on Wednesday.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it will hold a technical meeting in Tehran with the Iranian negotiator on Wednesday.

The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated it expected progress this month in its own investigation into Iran's current and past nuclear activities.

Iran has promised to work with the IAEA as part of its efforts to end the country's decade-long nuclear standoff with the West.

The negotiations are aimed at persuading Iran to halt its alleged nuclear program in exchange for relief of sanctions that have negative implications on its economy.

Iran denies any intention to seek atomic weapons, saying its nuclear energy program is solely for peaceful purposes.

"The imposed sanctions on Iran are cruel and illegal ... lifting all the sanctions is the only way to reach a nuclear deal," said Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.