Iran nuclear sites to be inspected by UN soon? US-Iran deal talks: IAEA chief drops big hint

Iran's key nuclear facilities are expected to come under international inspection once again as part of the recently agreed interim deal between Tehran and Washington, according to the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. The development is being seen as a significant step towards implementing the US-Iran agreement aimed at easing tensions and preventing a fresh nuclear crisis in the region. Speaking on Wednesday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi indicated that inspectors from the agency would eventually gain access to Iran's uranium enrichment facilities, a crucial requirement for monitoring Tehran's nuclear activities. His remarks are among the strongest signals yet that inspections remain an integral part of the agreement despite conflicting statements from both Iran and the United States in recent days.

Grossi told reporters at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan that Washington and Tehran had taken different public stances on inspections. But he stressed that the signed understanding makes clear that IAEA oversight of nuclear-related activities is ensured. “I can understand political statements, it is part of the reality, but the fundamental thing I would like to remind you and draw your attention to is that there has been a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by both presidents,” he said.

The head of the IAEA also mentioned parts of the deal that require international monitoring of nuclear activities related to Iran’s nuclear material and facilities. "In all letters, the agreement explicitly states that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with respect to the nuclear material facilities are going to be supervised by the IAEA," he said.

Grossi left no doubt about inspections to come, saying: "Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. It doesn’t really matter if it’s the day after tomorrow or one week or 10 days from now. That will be."

The planned inspections are considered vital for the implementation of the interim deal. A major provision calls for Iran to reduce the enrichment level of its uranium stockpile through downblending.

Since the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict in 2025, IAEA inspectors have been prevented from entering several enrichment facilities where Iran is believed to have large stocks of highly enriched uranium. Current stockpiles could theoretically be enough for several nuclear weapons, if Iran were to pursue weaponisation, according to assessments cited by international observers.

Iran has always insisted that it does not want to develop nuclear weapons and says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. But Tehran remains the only country known to be without an active weapons programme enriching uranium to a level of 60 per cent purity, a level that has long been a concern to Western governments and non-proliferation experts.

But Tehran has not yet echoed Grossi’s confidence and has not yet publicly backed the timeline suggested by the IAEA chief. Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that UN inspectors were not scheduled to visit nuclear facilities targeted during last year’s US military strikes. His comments were in contrast with those of US Vice President JD Vance, who drew attention to the ongoing differences in the interpretation of the agreement. Grossi’s latest comments have not yet been responded to by Iran.

Inspectors have been allowed limited access to Iranian nuclear sites, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, but not to major enrichment facilities. As a result, the IAEA says it is unable to independently verify the current condition of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium or the operational status of centrifuge networks used in the enrichment process. While both Tehran and the IAEA have confirmed that uranium enrichment activities have not recommenced at those facilities, experts continue to worry about the potential for nuclear material to be transferred to undeclared sites.

The temporary deal reached last week requires Iran to reduce some of its enriched uranium stockpile. In return, the United States has agreed to ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The two sides also agreed to a 60-day period in which to negotiate broader pacts that would cover long-standing disputes.

But the diplomatic progress is delicate and already under strain. Regional tensions flared again after Iran announced yet another closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid renewed hostilities involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Tuesday again brought reports of violence in Lebanon, but the situation did not erupt into a wider conflict.

Diplomacy will go on, with talks at the technical level between U.S. and Iranian officials expected to resume early next week at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock. The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, which has played a key mediating role between the two sides, confirmed the impending negotiations.

The IAEA chief's latest comments came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Gulf region. Rubio began his three-country trip in the United Arab Emirates where he met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. He will also be visiting Kuwait and Bahrain as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the Middle East, with Washington holding consultations with regional partners.