The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog made clear Wednesday that his inspectors will take part in monitoring Iran's atomic facilities, a central piece of the preliminary agreement that ended hostilities between Washington and Tehran.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pointed to language in the memorandum of understanding that tasks the agency with supervising the "downblending" of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. An estimated 1,000 pounds of highly enriched material remains buried beneath the destroyed Isfahan nuclear complex, which was struck by U.S. airstrikes in June 2025.
Grossi, speaking at a press conference at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan, said the deal "explicitly" requires IAEA oversight of all nuclear activities involving material and facilities. "Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect," he said. "Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen."
The remarks signal the IAEA's readiness to resume operations in Iran, even as the U.S. and Iran offer conflicting accounts on timing and the watchdog's involvement. President Trump has insisted Iran cannot access the enriched uranium, warning that the material could be used to construct a nuclear weapon if retrieved.
Vice President Vance, who negotiated with Iranian officials in Switzerland, told reporters Monday that the U.S. team had tried to bring IAEA officials into the talks at the last minute, calling them at 2 a.m. local time. He said discussions with inspectors could begin as early as this week. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today," Vance said, adding he had not checked with his team since the late-night calls.
But Tehran is pushing back. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters Tuesday that no U.N. inspectors are scheduled to examine the bombed nuclear sites. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran intends to exclude the IAEA from negotiations, arguing that inspections should only come after a final deal is signed and all sanctions are lifted. "You cannot advance the 'stir up and take over' policy with media hype," he posted on X.
The U.S.-Iran agreement gives negotiators 60 days to finalize a comprehensive deal on Iran's nuclear program, with an option to extend talks by mutual consent. In the interim, both countries have committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping. Iran is expected to waive tolls and fees on vessels, while the U.S. will scale back its naval blockade on Iranian ships. The Trump administration has also issued broad waivers allowing Iran to export and sell oil on global markets during the negotiating period.
The standoff over inspections echoes earlier disputes, as Trump claimed Iran agreed to "highest level" nuclear oversight despite Tehran's denials. Vance had earlier announced that Iran would reopen nuclear sites to IAEA inspectors, but the timeline remains uncertain. As talks continue, the fate of the enriched uranium stockpile and the IAEA's role will remain flashpoints in an already fragile agreement.
