IAEA head says 'initial exchange' held with Iran over nuclear inspections
Tokyo, June 26
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said Friday that the nuclear watchdog has had "an initial exchange" with Iranian officials over nuclear inspections, media reports said.
"We had an initial exchange with the Iranian side at the technical level," Grossi told a press conference in Tokyo, Kyodo News reported.
He said the exchange took place last weekend in Burgenstock in central Switzerland.
Grossi said earlier this week that the IAEA would carry out inspections in Iran in view of the recently signed US-Iran peace memorandum of understanding, Xinhua news agency reported.
However, a senior Iranian diplomat said Wednesday that Iran has no plan to provide the IAEA with access to its nuclear facilities bombed by the United States and Israel, noting that such issues will be resolved solely within the framework of a potential final agreement with Washington and as a result of the other party's practical action to terminate all sanctions.
US Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from the IAEA back into the country, describing the move as a major breakthrough in negotiations aimed at permanently ending Tehran's nuclear weapons programme and reducing tensions across the Middle East.
After the Burgenstock talks, Vance told reporters that the development was among the most significant achievements of negotiations involving the United States, Iran and regional partners.
"The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country," he asserted. "That is a major milestone for the American people, and the first step in permanently denuclearising or permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran."
He said discussions between Iran and the IAEA could begin quickly.
"I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today," Vance had said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting timing. Vance says Iran agreed, but the Iranian diplomat denies it. Sounds like classic diplomatic fog. The IAEA chief's cautious language ('initial exchange') suggests nothing concrete yet. Meanwhile, India needs a stable Middle East for our energy security and our diaspora in the Gulf. Let's hope this doesn't become another standoff like with North Korea.
Ye kya ho raha hai? 😅 Ek taraf America ke VP bol rahe hain 'major breakthrough,' doosri taraf Iran ka diplomat keh raha hai 'no plan to provide access.' Truth is somewhere in between. India has good relations with both Iran and US. We should facilitate rather than pick sides. But honestly, after Afghanistan withdrawal, America's credibility on such deals is ZERO.
Here's my respectful criticism: The US bombed Iran's facilities, then imposes sanctions, and now expects trust? That's like a thief breaking into your home, then asking for your house keys 'for safety inspections.' Iran is playing smart by keeping their cards close. India should learn from this — never trust fully when dealing with great powers.
As an Indian, this concerns me deeply. Iran is our strategic partner — Chabahar port, energy imports, connectivity to Central Asia. Any escalation here directly impacts India's interests. The fact that talks are happening in Switzerland rather than through established channels shows how broken this relationship is. I hope the IAEA can bridge the gap, but Vance's premature celebration smells like election posturing. 🤔
Nuclear proliferation anywhere is a risk to everyone. But let's
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