U.N. Nuclear Chief Says Inspectors Will Visit Iran; Tehran Disputes Plan

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said inspectors would visit Iranian nuclear sites, opening a new point of disagreement between the U.N. nuclear watchdog and Tehran over the terms and timing of such inspections.

Iranian officials responded by stating that nuclear inspections would only occur after both parties finalized a comprehensive agreement. The dispute reflects broader tensions surrounding ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

The IAEA chief's announcement came as U.S. officials characterized Iran as agreeing to permit inspectors back into the country. Iranian government representatives denied making any such commitment, according to multiple reports.

The conflicting statements underscore a fundamental disagreement about the sequence of events. The IAEA indicated inspections would proceed independently, while Iran tied any such access to the completion of formal negotiations.

These developments occur amid discussions about reviving or replacing the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. That agreement granted the IAEA broad access to Iranian nuclear facilities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iranian officials have previously resisted unilateral inspection visits without corresponding concessions from international parties. The country has maintained that any expansion of IAEA access must be paired with concrete steps toward lifting economic sanctions.

The dispute carries implications for verification efforts aimed at ensuring Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful. International inspectors rely on site access to gather evidence about nuclear activities and assess compliance with any agreement.

No timeline has been announced for when such inspections might occur, or under what conditions both parties might agree to them.