U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country following high-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland. The move is being described by U.S. officials as a significant step toward restoring oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities.
Speaking after marathon talks that lasted more than 18 hours, Vance said Iran had agreed to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency back into the country. According to the vice president, the decision represents a major milestone in efforts to address concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and could pave the way for broader negotiations.
The agreement emerged during talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, with both sides also discussing sanctions relief, regional security, and mechanisms to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping. U.S. officials indicated that technical teams will continue negotiations in the coming weeks.
Under the preliminary understanding, the U.S. has moved to provide temporary sanctions waivers related to Iranian oil exports, while Iran is expected to cooperate with renewed international monitoring efforts. However, details regarding the scope of inspections and access to nuclear facilities have not yet been released publicly.
Iranian officials have offered mixed signals regarding the agreement, and some reports suggest Tehran has not fully endorsed all aspects of the arrangement described by U.S. negotiators. Analysts caution that substantial hurdles remain before any comprehensive nuclear deal can be finalized.
The return of inspectors would mark the first such access since cooperation with the IAEA was suspended following military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the 2025 conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Officials on both sides say the current agreement is only an initial step, with further technical negotiations expected to determine whether a lasting diplomatic settlement can be achieved.