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Iran has rejected claims by US Vice-President JD Vance that it had agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, highlighting continuing differences between Washington and Tehran despite what both sides described as a constructive first round of negotiations in Switzerland.
Following talks at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, Vance said discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could begin “as soon as Monday” and expressed optimism that the negotiations had laid a “very good foundation” for a comprehensive agreement within the next 60 days.
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry swiftly denied that any fresh commitment had been made regarding nuclear inspections. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told Iranian state media that Tehran had undertaken “no new commitments” and insisted that any future cooperation with the IAEA would continue strictly under existing legal procedures established by Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council.
Baqaei also reiterated that Iran has no plans to grant inspectors access to nuclear facilities targeted during last year’s US and Israeli airstrikes.
US President Donald Trump, however, maintained that Iran had “fully and completely agreed” to major weapons inspections, warning that without such an understanding, further negotiations would not continue.
The conflicting statements underscored the significant gaps that remain between the two sides even as diplomatic engagement resumes.
US Grants Temporary Sanctions Relief
In a major policy shift, the United States has temporarily eased sanctions by issuing a 60-day waiver allowing Iran to export crude oil and petrochemical products using US dollars for the first time in decades.
The emergency licence, issued by the US Treasury, authorises the production, sale and delivery of Iranian oil until 21 August. The waiver also permits direct imports of Iranian oil into the United States while reopening banking, insurance and shipping channels that had long been restricted under US sanctions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions relief was linked to Iran’s commitments to keep the strategically important Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping and facilitate the return of IAEA inspectors.
Iran, however, has publicly disputed the latter claim.
Roadmap for a Final Agreement
A joint statement issued by mediators Qatar and Pakistan confirmed that both countries had agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days.
According to the mediators, both sides also agreed to establish a dedicated communication channel to prevent military incidents and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition, the negotiations resulted in plans to establish a “de-confliction cell” involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon to help reduce military tensions in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described Lebanon as the first real test of the emerging diplomatic framework, as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held since the weekend.
Background
Iran suspended IAEA access to several nuclear facilities after they were bombed during last year’s 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States. Shortly afterwards, the UN nuclear watchdog withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country.
The current dispute follows years of tension surrounding the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, which permitted IAEA inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. The United States withdrew from the accord in 2018 during President Trump’s first term, calling it a flawed agreement.
Negotiating teams are expected to continue discussions in the coming weeks, focusing on nuclear issues, sanctions relief and broader regional security arrangements. Despite encouraging diplomatic progress, the contradictory public statements from Washington and Tehran suggest that key differences remain unresolved. bbc inputs
