The UN nuclear watchdog chief said yesterday talks with Iran had been "going around in circles".
This unusually blunt criticism pointed to rising tension over suspected nuclear arms research by Tehran, which has increased fears of a new Middle East war.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), vented growing frustration at the lack of results in getting Iran to address suspicions of military dimensions to its atomic energy programme. Tehran denies the accusations.
He also said Iranian advances in building a heavy-water research reactor and in its uranium enrichment work were in "clear contravention" of UN Security Council resolutions.
The IAEA has been trying since early 2012 to engage with Iran over the "possible military dimensions" to Iran's nuclear programme.
Mr Amano said: "We need to achieve concrete results without further delay to restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities."
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