Iran has denied that it agreed to allow UN nuclear inspectors back into the country, directly contradicting senior US officials following the first round of US-Iran talks aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff.
Vice-President JD Vance said after negotiations at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could return “as soon as Monday.”
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry told state media that Tehran had made “no new commitments” on nuclear access, with spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei adding that any future engagement with UN inspectors would follow “existing procedures set by Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.”
President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s position outright. “Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary,” he wrote on social media, Iran had “fully and completely agreed” to inspections. “If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations!” he added.
60-day Window Opens, Sanctions Partially Lifted
Despite the public dispute, both sides described the talks as a meaningful step forward. Mediators Qatar and Pakistan issued a joint statement saying the US and Iran had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days.” Vance called the talks a “very good foundation,” noting that discussions also covered the Strait of Hormuz and regional ceasefire arrangements.
In a significant economic concession, the US Treasury issued a 60-day sanctions waiver on Monday, allowing Iran to sell oil in US dollars for the first time in decades. The licence, valid until 21 August, authorises the production, sale and delivery of Iranian crude and petrochemicals.
Moreover, it also unlocks banking transactions, insurance and shipping, and permits Iranian oil imports directly into the United States.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran, in exchange for the waiver, had committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and accepting IAEA inspectors, though Tehran disputed this characterisation.
Iran suspended IAEA site access following US and Israeli strikes during last summer’s 12-day conflict, as the UN nuclear watchdog subsequently withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country.
