Iran's nuclear energy chief and the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog have held talks on Iran's controversial nuclear program on the sidelines of a week-long conference on nuclear safety.

Iran's Fereidoun Abbasi said he had a “good” discussion in Vienna Tuesday with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano, who has been critical of Iran's suspected nuclear aims.

Earlier this month, Amano said Iran may have carried out nuclear work with possible military purposes and criticized the country for not cooperating with international nuclear experts.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rejected the claim of the nuclear program's military ties — an assertion which originated from a recent United Nations report.

Western nations believe Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons capability under the cover of a civilian energy program. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.