US Vice President JD Vance has claimed that Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, a key demand of the international community, with discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) potentially happening 'as soon as today'.
Speaking in Switzerland, Vance said significant progress had been made after the first round of US-Iran talks aimed at reaching a final deal. He stated that teams had discussed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and 'de-confliction for the regional ceasefire'.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week includes commitments to reopen the strait and end fighting 'on all fronts', including Lebanon. In a joint statement, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the US and Iran had agreed to 'a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days'.
Vance described the talks as laying a 'very good foundation' for negotiations. He called the nuclear issue 'probably the one we're most excited about as Americans' and a 'major milestone' in ending Iran's nuclear weapons program. Iran has consistently maintained its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.
When asked when IAEA inspectors would return, Vance said he expected the process to start 'at a minimum this week', but conversations 'could happen as soon as today'. The 14-point MOU references the IAEA, specifically regarding Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.
In 2015, Iran and world powers signed the JCPOA nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear activities and allowed IAEA inspections. In 2018, then-President Trump withdrew the US from the agreement. In June 2025, Iran suspended IAEA access to sites bombed by Israel and the US.
Iranian lead negotiators left the talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on Monday, with technical discussions continuing. The mediators' statement said a communication line had been established for safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and a de-confliction cell between the US, Iran, and Lebanon to end military operations in Lebanon.
Source: www.bbc.com