Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 26, 2026.
Yuichi Yamazaki | Afp | Getty Images
The U.S. and Iran’s interim peace agreement gives inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog access to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
His comments come shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to allow nuclear inspections, despite Iran insisting that there were no new plans for U.N. inspectors to visit sites damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes.
“There is a bit of a war of statements here,” IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said at a news conference in Japan on Friday.
“What is undeniable is that we have an MOU. This MOU specifically indicates that the nuclear part of the memorandum will be supervised. This is the word, will be supervised by the IAEA. In order to supervise, we need to inspect. There is no other way,” Grossi said.
“The technical work has started, and we hope to be there soon,” he added.
The U.S. and Iran signed an interim peace deal last week to bring their nearly four-month war to an end, although Washington and Tehran have continued to clash over some of the details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding.
Under the memorandum, both sides agreed to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz toll-free for at least 60 days and to end all hostilities, including in Lebanon, where fighting has persisted between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
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