The UN atomic watchdog's chief on Monday called for more transparency from Iran as it seeks relief from sanctions in negotiations over its nuclear programme.

International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi made the comments ahead of a meeting in Cairo with Iran's top diplomat and chief nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araghchi.

It comes a day after a leaked IAEA report showed Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty before the scheduled tripartite meeting, Grossi defended the report, calling it "impartial".

"We say things as they are without a political agenda," Grossi said, stressing the report "tells it as

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