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Meetings today between Iranian nuclear negotiators and the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency will continue into tomorrow 鈥� the latest "first" in an ongoing push for rapprochement between Iran and the international community.

Almost two years of talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency failed to end a deadlock on an investigation into Iran's nuclear program. The most recent encounters have ended on the first day because the two sides quickly ran out of common ground on inspections.

The IAEA wants to conduct an open-ended investigation into Iran's nuclear program to address suspicions that Iran may have developed nuclear weapons at some point. Iran, however, has insisted on a number of constraints, among them what sites can be inspected and who can be questioned, according to the Associated Press. But speaking to reporters today after a meeting with IAEA head Yukiya Amano, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

Araghchi did not give details about Iran鈥檚 position, but in remarks to reporters loaded with optimism, he spoke of a 鈥渧ery useful and constructive meeting鈥� with Amano, and said he was 鈥渧ery hopeful鈥� that the talks on the proposed probe will break 鈥渨ith a good result.鈥�

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that and that IAEA officials will travel to Tehran Nov. 11 to finalize an agreement.

" 'Iran presented a new proposal with practical measures as a constructive contribution to strengthen our cooperation,' head nuclear inspector Tero Varjoranta said."

Iran's softening on inspections criteria was hinted at earlier this month, during the Geneva meeting between Iran and world powers. At that meeting, Mr. Araghchi said Iran would allow more stringent inspections.

A key point of contention is the Parchin military base outside Tehran. The international community suspects Iran of conducting nuclear weapons testing there in the past, an accusation Tehran denies. Tehran has refused inspection of the site, insisting it is a conventional military base and that access would threaten national security.

The IAEA meeting comes a week before Iran and six world powers (the so-called P5+1 鈥� the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany) reconvene in Geneva to resume talks on curbing Iran's nuclear program. The Associated Press reports that the Vienna meeting with the IAEA could be "interpreted as a symbol of Iranian interest in resolving the impasse on the IAEA probe in parallel with six power talks."

Experts representing Iran and the P5+1 will be meeting in Vienna Wednesday and Thursday to work out "technical details."聽

Today's official comments, with their optimistic overtones, jibe with those of both Iran and the international community since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office in August. His time in office has been defined by concerted efforts to move toward rapprochement with the US and world powers 鈥� a historic phone call with President Obama, reportedly productive talks on Iran's nuclear program, and efforts to rein in hard-line spoilers.

The Washington Post reports that hardliners received a "rare public rebuke" in the past week when they were put up only days before.

The billboards, carrying the English-language slogan 鈥淭he US Government Styles Honesty,鈥� depict a goateed Iranian official (presumably meant to resemble [Iranian Foreign Minister Javad] Zarif) sitting across from a US counterpart who, under the table, conceals symbols of perceived American aggression.

In one, the American is accompanied by an attack dog; in another, he is wearing military fatigues under the table and a coat and tie above it.

There鈥檚 nothing particularly unusual about the messages, considering that US flags and effigies of American presidents have been regularly burned in the streets of Tehran during the past 34 years.

But with the anniversary of the takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran just a week away, the decision by Tehran鈥檚 municipal government to order the removal of the billboards is shocking to some vocal supporters of the nation鈥檚 long and proud history of public displays of anti-Americanism. City officials said only that the organization that put up the billboards hadn鈥檛 sought permission.

Iran is not the only negotiating party struggling with internal dissent as talks progress. Congress is pushing for another round of sanctions on Iran, despite the Obama administration's request that the House and Senate , TIME reports.

In July, 130 members of sent President Obama a letter urging him to give diplomacy with Iran a chance. But the following month, the House passed a new round of sanctions against Iran by a vote of 400 to 20, with more than 100 of the members who鈥檇 signed the letter encouraging diplomacy voting for the new sanctions.

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US negotiator Wendy Sherman made a rare public statement last week urging congressional patience. 鈥淐ongress has its prerogatives,鈥� . 鈥淲e don鈥檛 get to control Congress, but we are having very serious discussions. We work as partners with Congress. They鈥檝e been very effective partners as we鈥檝e tried to approach this negotiation. We need them to continue to be effective partners to reach a successful conclusion, and I have trust that they will be.鈥�

Those in favor of ramping up sanctions on Iran again 鈥� most vocal among them the pro-Israel lobby 鈥� are pushing for the Senate banking committee to pick up the issue next week when the Senate reconvenes.

If a bill with new sanctions is passed, the Obama administration may be put in the "awkward position" of vetoing sanctions against Iran, TIME reports. It could also opt to "drag its feet" implementing the sanctions.