VIENNA - Iran has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of conducting secretive intelligence activities, the Austrian Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The accusations were made by Iranian ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh on the sidelines of the IAEA Governors conference in Vienna, where he accused the IAEA of using secretive means to obtain information on Iranian facilities.

"Unfortunately the Agency (IAEA), who should be playing the role of an international technical organization, is to an extent also playing the role of an intelligence agency," he told reporters.

Soltanieh criticized in particular Western councillors and media for speculation about a possible secret atomic weapons program. He reaffirmed the "solely peaceful" aims of Iran's nuclear program.

On Friday a bilateral meeting is planned in which access for IAEA experts to Iran's facilities, documents, and nuclear experts will be discussed.