Iran Agrees To Readmit Nuclear Inspectors As US Talks Advance

Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, marking a significant development in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington aimed at securing a broader agreement to end tensions and address concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

US Vice President JD Vance announced the breakthrough on Monday, saying discussions involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could begin immediately and that inspectors could return as early as this week.

Speaking in Switzerland after the first round of talks between the United States and Iran, Vance described the development as a major step forward.

“This is a major milestone for the American people and a first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran,” he said.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes and denies pursuing nuclear weapons.

The announcement followed a joint statement by mediators Qatar and Pakistan, which said both sides had agreed on a roadmap toward reaching a final agreement within 60 days.

Vance said the discussions had produced a “very good foundation” for future negotiations and noted that significant progress had been made on several key issues.

According to him, talks also covered the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and mechanisms aimed at preventing misunderstandings that could threaten a fragile regional ceasefire.

The memorandum of understanding signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian includes commitments related to reopening the strategic waterway and ending hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.

Asked when IAEA inspectors would be allowed back into Iran, Vance said conversations with the agency could begin “as soon as today,” with the return process expected to commence at least within the week.

The agreement references cooperation with the IAEA, including measures to address Iran’s stockpile of enriched nuclear material.

Iran’s nuclear programme has long been a source of international concern.

In 2015, Iran and six world powers, the United States, China, France, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which imposed restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

The deal also granted the IAEA extensive access to Iranian nuclear facilities and allowed inspections of suspect sites.

However, during his first term in office, President Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in 2018, arguing that it failed to permanently prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and did not adequately address Tehran’s ballistic missile programme.

Following the outbreak of conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States during the 12-day war in June 2025, Iran suspended IAEA access to facilities that were later targeted in military strikes.

The UN nuclear watchdog subsequently withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country in July 2025.

Iranian media reported on Monday that the country's lead negotiators had departed the talks in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, while technical discussions between both sides are expected to continue.

The mediators also announced the creation of a dedicated communication channel designed to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and ensure safe passage for commercial shipping.

In addition, the parties agreed to establish a “de-confliction cell” involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon, with Qatar and Pakistan facilitating efforts to halt military operations in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described the Lebanon mechanism as the first real test of the broader agreement.

Although the initial understanding calls for an end to hostilities across multiple fronts, violence has continued in Lebanon. Israeli air strikes have reportedly killed at least 67 people since the agreement was reached, while attacks by Hezbollah have resulted in the deaths of five Israeli soldiers.

Negotiators are expected to continue working on technical details in the coming weeks as both sides pursue a comprehensive settlement.