Iran Says Nuclear Site Inspections Only After Final US–Iran Deal, Rejects IAEA Timeline

Iran has firmly stated that international inspections of its nuclear facilities will only be allowed after a final agreement with the United States , directly contradicting remarks made by the UN nuclear watchdog suggesting that access could begin in the near term.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi , writing on the social media platform X, rejected claims by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi , that inspectors would soon visit Iranian nuclear enrichment sites under an interim understanding.

“No meeting was held with Grossi in Switzerland, despite his request. Nor is there any plan for access to the facilities that were attacked or to nuclear material,” Gharibabadi said, adding that inspection-related decisions would be taken only within a final US–Iran agreement .

He further stressed that such steps depend on “practical action” by the other side to lift all sanctions , warning that nuclear monitoring issues cannot be advanced through “media hype.”

Gharibabadi’s remarks came in response to Grossi’s statements in Japan, where the IAEA chief said inspectors would eventually be deployed regardless of timing. Speaking at Fukushima, Grossi referred to a memorandum of understanding signed by both sides , which he said explicitly places Iran’s nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA) supervision .

“Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important, but not essential. This is going to happen,” Grossi said, emphasising that inspections are inevitable under the framework .

Grossi also noted that Iran’s nuclear material and facilities must be subject to verification, including provisions for downblending highly enriched uranium stocks , a key element in the proposed diplomatic arrangement.

The dispute highlights a growing diplomatic standoff between Washington and Tehran over the timing and scope of inspections. While the IAEA insists monitoring is essential for transparency, Iran argues that access is conditional on a comprehensive settlement and sanctions relief.

The agency has faced a prolonged impasse since Iran restricted access following regional tensions and military escalation, raising concerns over the status of its highly enriched uranium stockpile , which remains under international scrutiny.