Head of UN nuclear agency says inspectors will visit Iran sites, but Tehran has a condition

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafeal Mariano Grossi, said on Wednesday that inspectors would be visiting Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, which is a key aspect of the interim peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran. 

However, an Iranian diplomat disputed the claims, saying that the inspections are dependent on the outcome of a final peace agreement. 

Grossi called the contradictory statements between the U.S. and Iran on the issue of nuclear inspections a "war of words," NBC News reported. He pointed out that the memorandum of understanding explicitly states that the IAEA will supervise nuclear material facilities. 

“Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. 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," he said. 

Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, disputed that those inspections are certain. 

There is "no program for access to the attacked facilities and nuclear materials. These issues will solely be examined and resolved within the framework of the final agreement and as a result of the other party's practical action in terminating all sanctions," Gharibabadi said on X. 

Tehran kicked out IAEA inspectors in 2025 after Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran. The country is believed to store enough highly enriched uranium to build as many as 10 nuclear weapons. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, but it remains the only country in the world to enrich uranium up to 60% without a weapons program.