US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Iran will once again allow inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to work in the country.
“The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to their country,” Vance told reporters at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.
“This is a major milestone for the American people and the first step toward permanent disarmament or eliminating the nuclear weapons program in Iran.”
Vance said he hoped discussions would begin as soon as the inspectors return to Iran.
“I expect that to happen at least this week, but we think some conversations with inspectors and also with the IAEA may happen today,” he said.
The US previously said Iran had agreed to reduce its enriched uranium stockpile, possibly by “reducing on-site mixing under IAEA supervision”.
The IAEA last estimated that Iran possessed 440 kilograms (970 lb) of uranium enriched to 60%. Weapons-grade uranium is typically enriched to 90%.
Iran did not confirm that IAEA inspections were agreed to in the talks.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai told the official IRNA news agency on Monday that “there were very brief discussions regarding the nuclear issue” and that Iran did not accept “any new commitments.”
Vance says there is ‘good foundation’ for final deal
Speaking to reporters after lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials, Vance expressed optimism about the overall status of the talks.
“The final deal is the House,” Vance told reporters after initial talks with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
“We have laid the foundation. We have not built a house, but we have laid a successful foundation,” he said.
Iran said “major progress” had been made toward ending the fighting in Lebanon and described it as the first real test of the talks.