US Vice President JD Vance said Iran intends to allow IAEA inspectors to return but offered no timetable; Tehran has not formally confirmed the move and says any decision must be coordinated with parliament and the Supreme National Security Council. The Iranian delegation did not permit IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to take part directly in the Switzerland talks, and technical-level negotiations will continue. The framework aims for a final agreement within 60 days, includes measures to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and proposes US–Qatar oversight of any disbursement of frozen Iranian assets.
Vance Says Iran Agrees In Principle To IAEA Return, No Timeline Announced
FILE PHOTO: US Vice President JD Vance hosts a meeting of States Attorney Generals to discuss fraud in government programs. (is associated with: «Vance says Iran has agreed to IAEA inspectors, timetable not announced») Andrew Leyden/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Iran intends to permit inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return to the country, but he declined to provide a timetable for when inspections would resume.
Vance spoke after concluding talks with the Iranian delegation at the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland. He said negotiators attempted to reach IAEA inspectors at around 2 a.m. (0000 GMT), but most did not answer their phones.
Tehran has not formally confirmed the move. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state news agency IRNA that any decision to allow inspectors back in would first need coordination with parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was reportedly present at the Bürgenstock venue, but the Iranian delegation did not permit him to take part directly in the talks with the US. Media accounts said the Iranian team showed little interest in engaging with the head of the UN nuclear watchdog.
The IAEA last visited certain undamaged sites of Iran’s nuclear programme last autumn, but it has had no access to Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities since the strikes in June 2025.
Framework Talks and Wider Issues
Vance said negotiations will continue at the technical level and described a range of provisional measures agreed under the framework. The parties set out a procedure intended to keep the Strait of Hormuz open — a vital route for oil and fertiliser shipments — after Tehran briefly closed the waterway to international traffic.
He also said the two sides agreed mechanisms to raise and discuss alleged ceasefire violations under the framework, including incidents in Lebanon, to reduce the risk of further escalation.
On frozen Iranian assets referenced in the framework, Vance said the United States and Qatar would retain oversight of any disbursements and timing, and that funds would be used to buy US agricultural products such as soybeans, maize and wheat. Iran’s negotiating team has denied reports that frozen assets would be used to purchase US crops; Iranian officials have neither fully confirmed nor categorically denied the claims.
"We have laid very solid foundations for reaching a successful final agreement," Vance said, while warning that substantial work remains. The framework expresses an intention to reach a final deal within 60 days if possible.
Vance returned to the United States later on Monday. Officials said technical-level talks with Iranian counterparts will continue as negotiators work toward a final settlement.
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