Nuclear inspection dispute clouds US-Iran deal

The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday that inspectors would be allowed to visit Iran's uranium enrichment sites under the interim US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the conflict. An Iranian diplomat, however, insisted that any such inspections would only take place after a final deal is reached.

The comments echoed conflicting statements made a day earlier by Washington and Tehran regarding nuclear inspections. During the week since the two countries signed the agreement, their leaders have repeatedly offered differing interpretations of what the accord actually entails.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi acknowledged the ongoing "war of words" surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. But competing narratives are emerging on several fronts, including Israel's conflict with Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and how Tehran plans to spend billions of dollars in unfrozen assets.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the United States and Iran agreed to a 60-day period to resolve these and other issues. Until then, negotiations will continue behind closed doors while political leaders in both countries continue to make their case publicly, raising concerns that the fragile regional ceasefire could unravel.

Tensions were underscored on Wednesday when fighting involving Hezbollah flared again. Israel carried out an airstrike in southern Lebanon that killed two people, according to Lebanon's state-run news agency. It marked Israel's first strike in Lebanon since the latest ceasefire came into effect on Saturday. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

UN nuclear chief says inspections will take place

Since Israel launched its 12-day war against Iran in 2025, Tehran has barred IAEA inspectors from visiting uranium enrichment facilities. Iran is believed to possess enough highly enriched uranium to potentially produce up to 10 nuclear weapons if it chose to do so. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, although it remains the only country without a declared weapons programme to enrich uranium to 60 per cent purity.

Grossi's remarks were the clearest indication yet from the UN agency, which plays a central role in verifying the status of Iran's nuclear stockpile.

"I can understand political statements; they are part of reality," Grossi said while visiting the tsunami-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. "But the fundamental point is that there is a memorandum of understanding signed by both presidents."

He noted that the agreement explicitly states that all nuclear-related activities involving Iran's facilities and materials would be supervised by the IAEA.

"Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect," Grossi said. "Whether that happens the day after tomorrow, in a week or in 10 days is important, but not essential. It is going to happen."

The interim deal requires Iran to dilute, or "downblend", its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi swiftly rejected Grossi's interpretation, noting that Tehran had not met with the IAEA chief during recent talks in Switzerland.

"These issues will be reviewed and decided only within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to lift all sanctions and other measures," Gharibabadi wrote on X.

He added: "You cannot advance a 'stir up and take over' policy through media hype."

IAEA still denied access to key sites

Although the IAEA has been allowed to visit some Iranian nuclear facilities since the 2025 conflict, it has not been granted access to enrichment sites. Without such access, the agency says it cannot independently verify the condition or location of Iran's uranium stockpile.

While both Iran and the IAEA maintain that enrichment activities have ceased, non-proliferation experts remain concerned that Tehran could be relocating parts of its stockpile.

The agreement reached last week requires Iran to dilute its enriched uranium reserves and provides relief from US-backed sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

However, the ceasefire has already come under strain. Iran recently announced another closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed fighting involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel's Defence Minister said on Wednesday that Washington had not requested an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: "As long as I am Prime Minister, we will maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon."

Lebanese and Israeli officials are meeting in Washington this week as part of direct talks aimed at establishing a framework for an Israeli withdrawal.

Technical-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran are expected to resume in Switzerland early next week, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said. Pakistan has played a significant mediating role throughout the process.

US plans oversight of unfrozen Iranian assets

The interim agreement also includes provisions to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets.

US President Donald Trump has said he wants much of the money spent on American agricultural products, while Iranian officials insist that Tehran alone should determine how the funds are used.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials would be stationed in Qatar to monitor the use of the released funds. Speaking to CNBC, he said Iran would spend "a very large percentage" of the money on American food and medical supplies.

"We will be recycling the money back into US products," Bessent said.

Rubio tours Gulf states

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-country tour of the Gulf region on Wednesday, starting in Abu Dhabi with talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the State Department.

"We're not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies," Rubio later said during a visit to Kuwait, where the Trump administration announced a limited reopening of the US Embassy that had been closed during the height of the Iran conflict.

Before departing for Bahrain, Rubio said negotiations included the creation of "hundreds of specific areas" where Lebanon's armed forces could establish security control.

He described the discussions as part of a gradual process, adding that it would not "happen overnight".