Iran Says Talks with U.S. Show Progress but Nuclear Inspections Remain Unaddressed
Iranian officials report advances in Swiss talks with the United States, while noting that key nuclear inspection issues have not yet been discussed.
Iranian officials said discussions in Switzerland are making headway, with two working groups set to begin talks on sanctions relief and the nuclear programme, but they emphasized that core nuclear inspection matters have not been tackled.
Iran’s UN ambassador in Geneva reported "good progress" in the talks, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei noted that Iran has not met International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi and has no current plans for inspectors to visit damaged nuclear sites.
U.S. officials presented a contrasting view. President Donald Trump claimed Iran had agreed to unlimited nuclear inspections and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used for humanitarian supplies. Vice President JD Vance said the talks in the Buergenstock resort laid a solid foundation for a final accord and that Tehran had consented to allow IAEA inspectors back into the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Gulf Cooperation Council members to discuss the negotiations and address regional security and economic concerns.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping lane, remains open and toll-free during the 60-day talks, with 39 ships passing through on Monday, below pre-war levels.
Iran warned that any Israeli military action in Lebanon could jeopardise the agreement, describing attacks on Beirut or southern Lebanon as a red line.
Senator Rick Scott expressed confidence in President Trump’s approach to the deal, citing a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund and urging that Iran bear the costs of the conflict.