IAEA chief says inspections of Iran's enrichment sites will proceed under interim U.S.-Iran agreement

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday that inspectors will soon be allowed to visit Iran's nuclear enrichment sites, a key step in the interim agreement between the United States and Iran. Grossi told reporters that the memorandum of understanding signed by the two presidents explicitly requires IAEA supervision of nuclear material facilities and that inspections will occur, though the exact timing was not specified.

The statement follows a diplomatic tour by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Persian Gulf, beginning with a meeting in Abu Dhabi. The deal, announced last week, calls for Iran to down-blend its highly enriched uranium and for U.S. sanctions to be lifted, while both sides have 60 days to negotiate a broader settlement.

Iran has so far allowed IAEA access to other nuclear sites, such as the Bushehr power plant, but has denied entry to enrichment facilities. Without access, the agency cannot verify the quantity or condition of Iran's uranium stockpile.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said inspectors are not scheduled to examine sites that were bombed by the United States last year, rejecting earlier U.S. statements. The cease-fire that ended a brief conflict in 2025 remains fragile, with recent tensions in the region but no further escalation reported.