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Iran says no new commitments on nuclear sites after Vance says inspectors to be invited back

June 23, 2026

Iran and the United States are disputing claims made following their first round of nuclear negotiations in Switzerland, with conflicting accounts emerging about inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities. While U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that Iran agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country as early as this week, Tehran's foreign ministry quickly denied making any new commitments regarding nuclear site access. Despite these contradictions, the U.S. has granted Iran a 60-day sanctions waiver permitting oil sales in U.S. dollars for the first time in decades, while mediators Qatar and Pakistan indicated both nations established a roadmap toward reaching a final agreement within two months.

Who is affected

  • Iran (specifically its foreign ministry and negotiators)
  • United States (President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent)
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its inspectors
  • Qatar and Pakistan (serving as mediators)
  • Commercial vessels using the Strait of Hormuz
  • Lebanon and Hezbollah
  • Israel
  • Iran's economy and oil industry

What action is being taken

  • The U.S. and Iran are engaged in negotiations in Switzerland
  • The U.S. Treasury has issued a 60-day sanctions waiver allowing Iran to sell oil in U.S. dollars
  • Iran and the U.S. are issuing conflicting public statements about nuclear inspections
  • A communication line is being formed to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz
  • A "de-confliction cell" is being created between the U.S., Iran, and Lebanon

Why it matters

  • This diplomatic engagement represents a significant attempt to resolve long-standing tensions between the United States and Iran, including nuclear proliferation concerns that have destabilized the region for years. The sanctions relief could dramatically impact Iran's economy by allowing legitimate oil sales after decades of embargo, while nuclear inspection agreements would provide international oversight of Iran's atomic program. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping chokepoint through which significant oil supplies pass—affects international commerce and energy markets worldwide. However, the immediate contradiction between both parties' statements reveals deep mistrust and raises questions about whether any meaningful agreement can be achieved.

What's next

  • Mediators indicated both parties agreed to a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days
  • The 60-day sanctions waiver expires on August 21
  • Vance stated he expected the IAEA inspection process to potentially start "as soon as today [Monday]" or "at a minimum this week," though Iran has denied this commitment
  • Iran's Foreign Minister stated Lebanon would be the first "real test" of the agreement

Read full article from source: BBC