The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities would eventually resume under the new U.S.-Iran deal, although Tehran quickly hit back, insisting that such inspections had not yet been approved.The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said during a visit to Japan that the agency’s role in monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities was clearly envisioned in a preliminary deal signed by Washington and Tehran in the wake of the recent Middle East conflict.Grossi said the agreement “clearly” provides that “nuclear activities related to nuclear material facilities to be carried out will be subject to the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”“Obviously, to do that, we have to do inspections,” Grossi said.He declined to provide a specific timetable but said he was discussing with Iranian authorities the modalities for future inspections.“Whether that happens today, tomorrow, a week from now, or 10 days from now, it’s important, but it’s not required. It’s going to happen.”His comments come as uncertainty remains over access to Iran’s nuclear facilities, particularly those targeted during U.S. and Israeli attacks last year.Iranian officials were quick to push back on Grossi’s remarks, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garibabadi saying there had been no agreement to inspect facilities attacked during the conflict and stressing that any future inspections would depend on a comprehensive solution between Tehran and Washington.Gary Barbadi wrote in a post onHe added that inspections would only be considered part of a broader agreement involving mutual commitments between the United States and its partners.“These issues will only be reviewed and decided within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of the other party’s actual actions to end all sanctions and other measures.”Garibaldi also criticized what he said were attempts to pressure Iran through public statements.“You cannot advance a policy of demagoguery and takeover through media hype.”While both sides see the deal as a way to ease tensions, the disagreement highlights ongoing differences over the implementation of the U.S.-Iran understanding.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran is “fully in agreement” with allowing international inspectors to return. However, Iran has repeatedly denied having finalized any such commitments, particularly regarding facilities damaged in military attacks last year.The status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains a key issue since the conflict. Tehran continues to deny seeking nuclear weapons while insisting it has the right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.Although Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency under legislation passed after the conflict in 2025, the two sides later agreed on a new framework that would allow limited contacts to resume. IAEA officials have since visited a number of Iranian facilities, but access to sites hit during the war remains restricted.
