Iran should cooperate more with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if it wants the nuclear watchdog to lessen the nuclear sanctions imposed on it, the West instructed Tehran.

The U.S., UK, France, Germany, China and Russia resumed their discussions with Iran on its nuclear ambitions. The warning from the West comes as officials say the talks are not likely to become productive, BBC News relayed.

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Iran maintains its uranium enrichment program is only for medical purposes and nuclear power production. However, the world powers are suspicious of Tehran's motive, thinking it is seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last month slammed a U.S. attempt to sanction 25 of its companies and its citizens.

On Thursday, the U.S. and European Union (EU) said they are disappointed and concerned that the IAEA's probe into Iran's nuclear project was making little progress. The EU said both Iran and the watchdog should address the important issues to reach a settlement, the report stated.

The IAEA asked Iran about the possible military objectives of its nuclear projects and gave it until August 25 to answer the questions. However, Tehran was unable to comply with the deadline for its answer, based on a September report posted by the nuclear watchdog.

Iranian envoy Reza Najafi denied any military dimensions of its nuclear program and explained that they were unable to address the important issues because of the "complexity" of the situation. However, Najafi said Iran would meet with the IAEA soon to settle the said issues.

Meanwhile, Israel's Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said the EU should strive not to strike a "bad deal" with Tehran. He also conveyed his concern that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton may just be rushing to seal an agreement before she resigns at the end of the year.

"We are deeply concerned," Steinitz expressed. "We feel the negotiations are going in the wrong direction."

The IAEA started the talks to discuss the easing of Iran's nuclear sanctions in February. However, Iran and the six world powers failed to close a deal by its July 20 deadline.

The talks are expected to continue until September 26, according to the report.

TagsIAEA, Iran, Nuclear program, nuclear sanction, cooperation