Iran rules out immediate IAEA access to nuclear sites, says inspections tied to final deal

Iran has firmly ruled out any immediate access for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to its nuclear facilities and materials damaged in US-Israeli strikes, stating that such matters will only be addressed within the framework of a final agreement and after Washington takes practical steps to lift all sanctions.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on X, reacting to claims by US officials and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi about the details of Iran's cooperation with the agency.

Gharibabadi categorically denied that any meeting had taken place with Grossi in Switzerland, despite his requests, and stressed that there is "no plan" for access to the facilities that were attacked or to nuclear materials.

“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.”

He said discussions on inspections and access to nuclear sites will only be considered within the framework of a final agreement with the United States and following practical action by the other side to end all sanctions.

“You cannot advance a ‘trial balloon’ policy through media hype,” Gharibabadi said.

The remarks came as the first round of high-level technical talks between Iran and the United States concluded in Switzerland, where the two sides discussed the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 18.

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The MoU commits both sides to an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and provides for the lifting of the US naval blockade, the release of frozen assets, and the launch of a reconstruction plan for Iran.

However, the path to implementation has been rocky. Despite the ceasefire commitment, Israeli forces have continued strikes in southern Lebanon, prompting Iran to insist that any final agreement is contingent on a full ceasefire in Lebanon.

During the Swiss talks, Grossi had claimed that IAEA inspectors would visit Iran's uranium enrichment sites.

Gharibabadi's statement directly contradicts those claims, underscoring Tehran's position that no progress on the nuclear file is possible until the US fully implements its commitments under the MoU, including the complete lifting of sanctions.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful and that any discussions on inspections must be held in a context of mutual respect and practical action by the other side.

The Islamic Republic has also stressed that it will not allow the IAEA to be used as a political tool against its national interests.

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