U.S. and Iran Agree to IAEA Inspections of Enrichment Sites

Inspectors will visit Iranian uranium enrichment sites under a memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iranian presidents. The agreement requires IAEA supervision of nuclear material facilities. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the precise timing of the visits is not essential.

He spoke at a news conference at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The interim deal calls for Iran to downblend its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. It also waives U.S.-backed sanctions on Iran and gives both sides 60 days to negotiate broader agreements. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country.

Plans could be drawn up as soon as this week. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the same day that UN inspectors were not scheduled to examine nuclear sites bombed by the U.S. last year.

Background Since Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in 2025, Tehran has blocked IAEA access to key enrichment sites. Those sites are believed to hold enough highly enriched uranium for as many as 10 nuclear weapons. Iran is the only country enriching uranium to 60 percent purity without an acknowledged weapons program.

The IAEA has visited other Iranian nuclear sites, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, since the war. Both Iran and the IAEA state that Tehran has not been enriching uranium. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

““Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in ten days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen.””