Iran rejects Vance’s claim that IAEA inspectors can return

Tasnim said Tehran considers its policy of “nuclear ambiguity” a critical strategic asset and an important safeguard against U.S. pressure.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iran on Monday rejected a key claim made by Vice President JD Vance regarding nuclear negotiations with the United States, with the Iranian news agency Tasnim reporting that Tehran has not approved the return of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors despite Vance’s announcement that an agreement had been reached.

The contradiction emerged after Vance outlined what he described as progress in talks between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking earlier in the day, he said Iranian officials had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, back into the country.

Tasnim reported that no such authorization had been granted by either Iran’s negotiating team or senior government officials.

The agency wrote that the issue had not been approved and added that “it would be better if this is never approved.”

The report presented the disagreement as part of a broader dispute over Iran’s nuclear posture.

Tasnim said Tehran considers its policy of “nuclear ambiguity” a critical strategic asset and an important safeguard against U.S. pressure.

The agency stated that Iran intentionally maintains uncertainty regarding the storage locations of enriched materials and views American efforts to obtain information about those sites as a challenge that must be prevented.

Vance had portrayed the reported agreement on inspectors as a significant development in the diplomatic process. “This is a significant milestone for the American people, and the first step toward permanent nuclear disarmament or the permanent end of a nuclear weapons program in Iran,” he said.

While announcing the development, Vance acknowledged that inspectors had not yet returned to Iran.

He said the understanding had been reached only the previous night, leaving insufficient time for deployment.

“They will return this week. I hope it happens today,” Vance said.

The vice president also announced a major sanctions measure tied to the negotiations, saying restrictions on Iranian oil sales had been suspended for the duration of a 60-day negotiating period.

Under the arrangement described by Vance, Iran would be allowed to produce, transport, supply and sell oil while talks continue.