The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, stated on 24 June that IAEA inspectors will visit Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, describing the step as inevitable under the memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iranian presidents. Speaking from the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan, Grossi acknowledged the “war of words” between Washington and Tehran but said the accord “explicitly states that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA — in all letters.” The agency, he added, is already working on “modalities — dates, procedures, places — very soon.”

Washington has maintained that Iran agreed to extensive inspections as part of the interim deal. President Donald Trump asserted on social media that Iran had “fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future,” and later told reporters that if Tehran’s denial were correct he would “cancel the meetings right now.” Vice President JD Vance had earlier said Iran agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back. By contrast, Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected the claim. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no detailed discussions on inspections took place and that no visit to bombed sites was scheduled. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on social media that no meeting with Grossi occurred in Switzerland and that access to damaged nuclear facilities and material “will only be examined and decided within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to terminate all sanctions.”

The inspections are central to verifying Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and implementing the deal’s requirement that the material be downblended on site under IAEA supervision. Since the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in 2025, the agency has been blocked from enrichment sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, though it retains access to the Bushehr power plant. The IAEA estimates Iran held 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent purity before the conflict, enough in principle for about ten nuclear weapons if further enriched. The agency believes more than 200 kg remains stored in a tunnel complex at Isfahan, but without access it cannot verify the current status of centrifuges or rule out undeclared movements of material.

The 14-point memorandum, signed last week, establishes a 60-day negotiating window to resolve broader issues including sanctions relief, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. Analysts in European capitals note that the contradictory public statements reflect both Washington’s effort to lock in perceived concessions and Tehran’s need to manage domestic hardliner pressure. The IAEA says it will continue working with Iran on inspection arrangements, while Iranian officials insist the matter can only be settled in a final accord. Technical-level talks between the two governments are expected to resume shortly.