US sees 'limitations' in Iran-IAEA deal

A nuclear cooperation pact Iran struck with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has "real limitations" and Teheran should stop trying to manipulate the IAEA to dodge harsher UN sanctions, a senior US envoy said.

Washington was not impressed by Iran's transparency promise - hailed as a "milestone" by the IAEA on Tuesday - to allay suspicions it is secretly seeking atomic bombs, and would still pursue talks on more UN sanctions against Teheran, the US envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog, Gregory Schulte, said.

The IAEA declined comment on Schulte's criticism. A diplomat close to the agency said Schulte's remarks "shows a deliberate campaign to derail this process".