TEHRAN -- The International Atomic Energy Agency has so far tried to act independently about Iran’s nuclear issue, Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki told reporters on the sidelines of Wednesday’s cabinet session.

Asked about reports on a possible delay in IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei’s report on Iran’s nuclear activities, Mottaki said, “We do not see any sign that the agency and ElBaradei being influenced by the pressures” from some permanent members of UN Security Council.
AFP reported on Tuesday that the release of IAEA’s report could be put off by a few days because of differences between ElBaradei and his technical staff over the report’s findings.
The UN nuclear watchdog is due to issue the report next week.
The IAEA on Tuesday rejected Western suggestions it is being soft on Iran, Reuters reported.
A senior official close to ElBaradei accused unnamed Western powers of using the same “hype” tactics employed against Iraq before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to justify imposing further sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.
------------- Iran reviewing relations with France
On the recent harsh stance of certain French officials against the Islamic Republic, Mottaki said, “We are reviewing Iran-France relations over the past year, and we are studying all related issues.”
The two countries have a great potential for improving ties in various areas, he stated, expressing hope that French officials will adopt a realistic approach toward Iran.
------------ Iran-U.S. talks on Iraq
The foreign minister said that Iran and the United States will hold the next round of negotiations on Iraq’s security condition at expert level, adding that the date of the meeting will be announced soon.
Mottaki also confirmed reports that President Mahmud Ahmadinejad plans to visit Iraq in the near future.
“I believe the Iranian president’s trip to Iraq will be very fruitful concerning mutual relations and regional issues,” he added