Conflicting Claims: Has Iran Agreed to IAEA Inspector Return?

Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024

Conflicting statements have emerged regarding the potential return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to Iranian nuclear facilities. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, denied on Tuesday any agreement for such access or meetings with the IAEA Director-General, asserting that no protocol exists for this. Baghaei further emphasized that Iran's missile capabilities have not been part of negotiations with the United States, dismissing any discussion of this issue in the ongoing talks in Switzerland. It seems Tehran remains firm on its stance against compromising its defensive sovereignty, underscoring the intricate nature of current diplomatic efforts.

Washington Affirms Agreement

Conversely, US President Donald Trump announced today that Iran has "fully and completely agreed" to allow IAEA inspectors back into the country. He stated on "Truth Social" that Washington would not impose a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump noted the agreement includes "highest-level nuclear inspections" which "will ensure nuclear integrity." He also suggested that negotiations were "going well," and Iran had consented to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as part of "major concessions" in exchange for no naval blockade. These remarks follow talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland.

Negotiation Progress and De-escalation

US Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking on Monday, confirmed that Iranians "agreed to invite IAEA inspectors," hailing the move as a "significant achievement for the American people" and "the beginning of the path toward denuclearization or permanently ending Iran's nuclear weapons program." Vance affirmed that talks in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, had made "great progress" despite previous "threats and grumbling," referring to Iran's earlier announcement of closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes. He also mentioned an existing mechanism to prevent regional tensions from escalating, stating, "We want a ceasefire in the region... and ensure that events, when they occur, do not evolve into a broader escalation." These developments unfold against a backdrop of past attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, notably in June 2025 and last February, which led to Iran suspending inspector visits before agreeing to a new framework in September 2025, though access to targeted sites remains restricted.