Iran on Monday refuted claims made by US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran has agreed to admit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a development he said “is probably what we’re most excited about as Americans.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran’s interaction with the IAEA would proceed “in accordance with Iran’s obligations under safeguard agreements” and “in line with resolutions passed by Parliament and decisions of the Supreme National Security Council,” CNN reported citing the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
A law enacted by Iran’s parliament last summer limited cooperation with the IAEA and halted routine inspections. However, according to IRNA as cited by CNN, ties with the UN nuclear watchdog were never fully severed. The legislation still permits IAEA inspectors to access “active nuclear sites,” including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, but only on a “case-by-case basis.”
Trump backs Vance’s claim
US President Donald Trump on Monday doubled down on Vance’s claim and said Iran will agree to have weapons inspections to ensure “nuclear honesty.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Everybody is fully aware that Iran will agree to have Major Weapons Inspections in order to ensure “Nuclear Honesty” long into the future. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Vance says ‘good day’ of negotiations
Vance on Monday described talks between the two countries in Switzerland as a “very, very good day” of negotiations, adding that Iran has agreed to admit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a development he said “is probably what we’re most excited about as Americans.”
