Tehran : Iran has rejected a claim made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance that Tehran had agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors broader access to its facilities, highlighting continuing differences between the two countries despite recent diplomatic engagement.
The disagreement emerged after Vance described the latest round of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland as productive and suggested that Iran had shown willingness to permit nuclear inspections as part of efforts to address concerns over its nuclear programme.
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry swiftly pushed back against the assertion. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated that Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would continue only within the framework of existing safeguards agreements and in accordance with Iranian law.
Baqaei emphasized that Tehran had not entered into any new arrangement regarding inspections and would adhere to decisions made by the country’s parliament and the Supreme National Security Council. His remarks underscored Iran’s insistence that any cooperation with international watchdogs must respect its sovereignty and legal obligations.
The differing accounts have cast uncertainty over the extent of progress achieved during the recent negotiations. While Washington has portrayed the talks as a significant step toward easing tensions and enhancing transparency around Iran’s nuclear activities, Tehran appears determined to avoid any impression that it has conceded to additional monitoring measures.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Vance said the discussions had laid a strong foundation for a potential future agreement and reiterated the importance of verification mechanisms to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. He described the negotiations as constructive but acknowledged that a final agreement had not yet been reached.
The dispute over inspections reflects one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-Iran relations. International monitoring has long been a central component of efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, while Tehran has repeatedly argued that its programme is intended for peaceful purposes and that excessive oversight infringes on its national rights.
Diplomatic observers say the latest exchange highlights the challenges that remain despite renewed dialogue. Further technical discussions are expected in the coming weeks and may provide a clearer indication of whether the two sides can bridge their differences and move toward a broader understanding on the nuclear issue.
For now, the conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran suggest that while communication channels remain open, substantial gaps persist over the terms and scope of any future nuclear arrangement.