UN watchdog says inspectors will visit Iran nuclear sites

International UN watchdog says inspectors will visit Iran nuclear sites Comments: by Laura Kelly - 06/24/26 11:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Laura Kelly - 06/24/26 11:39 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency signaled Wednesday that its inspectors will be part of the oversight of Iran’s nuclear facilities, a key component of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war between the U.S. and Iran.

Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pointed to language in the MOU that calls for the IAEA to oversee “downblending” of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium is believed buried under Iran’s destroyed Isfahan nuclear complex, which was hit in the June 2025 U.S. attacks on the site.

The MOU “says explicitly that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA — in all letters,” Grossi told journalists at a news conference at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

“Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect,” he said. “Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen.”

Grossi’s remarks demonstrate a commitment by the IAEA to resume its operations in Iran, although the U.S. and Iran are offering contradictory remarks on timing and the watchdogs’ participation.

The status of the highly enriched uranium is a key part of the negotiations. President Trump has said that Iran cannot access that stockpile, although its presence in the country poses a danger if Iran is able to retrieve it. Experts say the uranium can be used to build a nuclear weapon.

Vice President Vance, speaking to reporters in Switzerland on Monday after negotiating with the Iranians overnight, said they tried to invite IAEA officials last minute to the talks — calling their phones at 2 a.m. local time — but said discussions could be held as soon as this week.

“I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today,” he said.

“But I haven’t checked in with our team since we made that 2 AM phone call to some of those inspectors,” Vance added.

But Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters on Tuesday in Tehran that U.N. inspectors were not scheduled to examine the nuclear sites bombed by the U.S.

And Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, said Iran is intent on excluding the IAEA in negotiations with the U.S. and that any inspections will come after a final deal is signed with the U.S. and “terminating all sanctions.”

“You cannot advance the ‘stir up and take over’ policy with media hype,” he posted on social platform X.

The MOU between the U.S. and Iran provides 60 days for negotiators to hammer out a final agreement dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, although talks can be extended with mutual agreement.

Meanwhile, both nations will commit to free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran expected to withhold tolls and fees on shipping and the U.S. drawing down its naval blockade on Iranian ships. The Trump administration has also provided comprehensive waivers for Iran to ship and sell its oil on the global market while talks are ongoing.