Iranian authorities have denied J.D. Vance's statement claiming that Iran agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to re-enter the country, emphasizing that inspections must still proceed according to current protocols and procedures.
On Monday, 22 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Iranian officials stated that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue "under the current procedural arrangements," rejecting the recent claim by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance that Iran had authorized IAEA inspectors to return to the country.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagaei’s statement that cooperation between Iran and the IAEA will proceed "according to Iran's commitments under the Safeguard Agreements" and "in line with resolutions passed by the parliament as well as decisions made by the Supreme National Security Council."
In the summer of 2025, Iran enacted a new law limiting cooperation with the IAEA and suspending inspections. However, IRNA noted that cooperation has never been completely severed, and the new law permits IAEA inspectors to visit "operational nuclear facilities," such as the Bushehr nuclear power plant, on a case-by-case basis.
Spokesperson Bagaei’s statement followed U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s remarks at a press conference in Switzerland—the venue for U.S.-Iran talks on Sunday—where he said Iran had agreed to accept IAEA inspectors, describing this progress as "likely the most exciting development for us as Americans."
IRNA further reported Bagaei’s rebuttal of the U.S. statement, affirming that Iran has not accepted any new obligations. IRNA also cited sources familiar with the 18-hour talks in Switzerland, stating that Tehran did not raise nuclear issues during the discussions nor agree to any new commitments.
The report added that visits to damaged nuclear facilities and any agreements related to Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles will depend on specific mechanisms to be negotiated in a final agreement after the 60-day negotiation period stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran expires.
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Source:cnn