IAEA: Claims of secret nuclear talks with Iran 'entirely baseless'

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has vehemently denied a report in the British newspaper The Times that it had been holding clandestine talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

These talks, the report said, would "allow Tehran to retain the bulk of its nuclear programme in return for co-operation with UN inspectors."

"These allegations are entirely baseless. It is regrettable that The Times should publish such a story without any effort to make a critical assessment of its source," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement published on its website.

According to the report in The Times, IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei drew up a 13-point agreement in September aimed at convincing world powers to allow Iran to continue its contentious nuclear program under close UN inspection.

ElBaradei has apparently been trying to resolve this issue before he leaves office at the end of November, according to The Times. The newspaper said it had received the report from a concerned party privy to the issue.

The IAEA has denied that the document exists, said The Times.

The Times exclusive comes hours after the IAEA released a report western official say proves Iran is still not meeting its obligations to the international community over its nuclear program.

"[The] IAEA's latest report on Iran underscores that Iran still refuses to comply fully with its international nuclear obligations," U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Monday.