Iran has strongly denied a statement made by US Vice-President JD Vance, who claimed that Tehran had agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors (IAEA) back into the country following the first round of talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the ongoing conflict.
The negotiations, held in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
Speaking after the discussions, Vance suggested that talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the return of inspectors could begin “as soon as today,” describing the meeting as laying a “very good foundation” for future progress.
However, Iran’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected this assertion. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that Tehran’s missile capabilities have not been discussed in negotiations with the US in Switzerland and ruled out allowing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to visit nuclear facilities.
Spokesperson Esmail Baqai said Tehran had made “no new commitments” regarding nuclear inspections.
He stressed that any cooperation with “UN nuclear monitors would continue strictly under existing legal and institutional frameworks established by Iran’s Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.”
The disagreement over inspections comes amid broader diplomatic activity involving the United States, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan.
In a joint statement, the mediating countries said that both Washington and Tehran had agreed to a “roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days” following the initial round of negotiations.
Alongside diplomatic developments, the United States has temporarily eased sanctions on Iran in a significant policy shift. The US Treasury issued a 60-day sanctions waiver that allows Iran to sell oil in US dollars for the first time in decades.
The waiver effectively suspends key elements of Washington’s long-standing embargo, enabling the export, sale, and transportation of Iranian crude and petrochemicals until 21 August. It also permits Iranian oil to be directly imported into the United States and restores access to international banking, insurance, and shipping channels that had previously been heavily restricted.
US Treasury officials said the sanctions relief was granted in exchange for commitments from Tehran, including maintaining the security of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and permitting the return of IAEA inspectors. The reopening of this critical maritime route and nuclear transparency were described as central conditions of the agreement framework.
Vice-President Vance also indicated that discussions had extended beyond the nuclear issue, including regional security concerns such as potential reopening arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz and coordination mechanisms for de-escalating tensions in the region.
US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the developing situation, stating on social media that Iran would agree to allow “major weapons inspections.” However, Iranian officials firmly rejected this characterization, reiterating that no new inspection arrangements had been agreed upon.
After the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers—the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China.
The deal in 2015 allowed IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities until the United States withdrew from the accord in 2018 during Trump’s first term, calling it a “bad deal.”
After military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during last summer’s 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States. Iran subsequently restricted access for IAEA inspectors, and the agency later withdrew its remaining personnel from the country.
Despite the current diplomatic push, uncertainty remains high. Vance revealed that Iranian negotiators had briefly threatened to walk away from talks after Trump issued a warning on social media suggesting that the US could “hit Iran very hard again.”
The US Vice-President said he responded by clarifying that Trump’s remarks were in reaction to what he described as Iranian “trash talk.”
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his hardline stance from the Oval Office, warning that the United States would take action if Iran failed to comply with any future agreement.
“If Iran doesn’t live up to their agreement, or if they’re not behaving, I will do what I have to do,” he said.
In parallel with nuclear negotiations, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan announced the establishment of a “communication channel” aimed at preventing misunderstandings and ensuring safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
They also proposed a “de-confliction cell” involving the US, Iran, and Lebanon to help reduce regional military tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi indicated that the situation in Lebanon would serve as an early test of whether diplomatic progress could be sustained, noting that recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had begun to subside under a fragile ceasefire.
