Are Iran nuclear inspections moving forward despite Tehran’s denial? IAEA chief gives key update

The United States and Iran have been at odds regarding their positions on nuclear inspection. President Donald Trump asserted that Iran finally agreed to nuclear inspections for a long term “into infinity.”

On the contrary, Iranian officials have continuously denied the existence of any concession offered by them during peace talks held at Burgenstock in Switzerland.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei openly contradicts Vice President Vance who claimed that UN nuclear watchdog inspectors would visit Iran’ nuclear sites to ensure compliance with the interim peace agreement.

“Iran has no plans to allow IAEA inspectors to enter nuclear sites that were damaged during the war,” Baghaei said.

According to officials as reported by Al Jazeera, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council would decide this matter by providing the legal framework for this inspection.

In the midst of conflicting statements issued by both sides comes the statement of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on Wednesday.

According to the agency’s chief, the UN nuclear watchdog will definitely carry out “nuclear inspections in Iran soon” as a part of a 14-points memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the US and Iran on June 14.

Speaking to the press conference in Japan, "The inspections will indeed take place,” adding that he understands the reality of “war of words” in the tense political environment.

He emphasized that MoU is signed by both presidents and clause 8 of the agreement clearly focuses on nuclear activities with regard to nuclear material facilities supervised by IAEA for sure.

"We will ⁠be working on the modalities — dates, procedures, places — very soon," he said of discussions with Iran.