US Vice-President JD Vance said Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, describing the move as a significant step in efforts to secure a broader agreement following the recent conflict between Washington and Tehran.

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Speaking in Switzerland on Monday, Vance said discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could begin “as soon as today”, with inspectors expected to start returning at least this week.

The announcement followed the first round of talks between the United States and Iran aimed at reaching a final settlement after the war. Vance said the discussions had made substantial progress and provided a strong basis for future negotiations.

Talks Target Final Agreement

Earlier on Monday, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the two sides had agreed on a roadmap intended to produce a final deal within 60 days.

Vance echoed that assessment, saying negotiators had established a “very good foundation” for a lasting agreement.

He highlighted Iran’s nuclear programme as the central issue for Washington, describing the planned return of inspectors as an important milestone and a first step toward permanently ending any potential Iranian nuclear weapons programme.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes.

Inspectors and Nuclear Stockpiles

The 14-point memorandum of understanding signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian includes provisions concerning the IAEA and Iran’s stockpile of enriched nuclear material.

Although Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons, a number of governments and the IAEA have expressed concerns about the nature of its nuclear activities.

The issue has been at the centre of international diplomacy for more than a decade. In 2015, Iran and six major powers — the United States, China, France, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom — reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the JCPOA.

The agreement imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear programme and granted IAEA inspectors broad access to nuclear facilities and suspected sites.

However, Trump withdrew the United States from the accord in 2018, arguing that it failed to provide permanent restrictions and did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

Following the 12-day war in June 2025, Iran suspended IAEA access to sites targeted by Israeli and US strikes. The following month, the agency withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country.

Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon

Vance said negotiators had also discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and arrangements to support a regional ceasefire.

According to a joint statement from the mediators, a communication channel has been established to prevent incidents and ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping through the waterway.

The parties also agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as facilitators. The mechanism is intended to help end military operations in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the Lebanon initiative would be the first major test of the agreement.

Despite the memorandum’s call for an end to fighting on all fronts, violence has continued in Lebanon. Israeli air strikes have reportedly killed at least 67 people since the deal was signed, while attacks by the armed group Hezbollah have killed five Israeli soldiers.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 23 June 2026

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They might get a deal, but only if Trump keeps his mouth shut.

I believe when I see an inspector there

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I believe when I see an inspector there

Noted

Note "readmit" as the original admission was in the Obama Nuclear Deal that 45th Trump tossed. Trump removes, then restores as if he is a genius negotiator.

They need not just IAEA inspectors , but US inspectors in Iran.

The United States cannot rely solely on a UN body to verify American security goals.

29 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

They need not just IAEA inspectors , but US inspectors in Iran.

The United States cannot rely solely on a UN body to verify American security goals.

Perhaps they could let this group have another go? They found nothing in Iraq, but everyone deserves a second chance.

'In May 2003, the Bush administration decided to establish a specialized group of about 1,500 individuals, the Iraq Survey Group (ISG), to search the country for WMD.'

Iraq and Weapons of Mass Destruction

36 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Note "readmit" as the original admission was in the Obama Nuclear Deal that 45th Trump tossed. Trump removes, then restores as if he is a genius negotiator.

The inspections under the JCPOA required prior notice and were only allowed in areas Iran agreed to.

The JCPOA also allowed Iran to enrich uranium.

Think you yanks are dreaming, according to Iran they have not agreed to any inspections ! Vance is just trying to please his master to keep his job !!

9 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Think you yanks are dreaming, according to Iran they have not agreed to any inspections ! Vance is just trying to please his master to keep his job !!

Vance is an elected government official, and the Vice President cannot be fired by the President.

14 minutes ago, Effective altruism said:

Vance is an elected government official, and the Vice President cannot be fired by the President.

Tell that to trump !!!

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

The inspections under the JCPOA required prior notice and were only allowed in areas Iran agreed to.

The JCPOA also allowed Iran to enrich uranium.

half truths here: Inspections of NEW Sites takes some time:

The JCPOA did not mandate the "anytime, anywhere" access that some international negotiators initially sought. Instead, it instituted a "managed access" inspection protocol. While the IAEA had daily access to known, declared nuclear facilities, (so your:"..were only allowed in areas Iran agreed to" is just not true.) Accessing undeclared or suspect sites involved the following procedures:

• Consultation Phase: If the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspected undeclared nuclear material or activity at a location, it had to first present Iran with questions and seek clarification.

• The 24-Day Process: If the agency and Iran could not resolve the issue through dialogue, the Joint Commission (made up of the deal's participants) would review the request. Ultimately, the process included a mechanism requiring Iran to provide access to the requested site within 24 days.

  Enrichment: Iran was required to cap its uranium enrichment level at 3.67% purity for 15 years. Not what they have now since Trump broke the treaty. The total stockpile of enriched uranium was capped at 300 kilograms of up to 3.67% enriched material. Key facilities like Fordow were converted into a nuclear, physics, and technology center, while the Arak heavy-water reactor was redesigned so it could not produce weapons-grade plutonium.

6 minutes ago, Emdog said:

half truths here: Inspections of NEW Sites takes some time:

The JCPOA did not mandate the "anytime, anywhere" access that some international negotiators initially sought. Instead, it instituted a "managed access" inspection protocol. While the IAEA had daily access to known, declared nuclear facilities, (so your:"..were only allowed in areas Iran agreed to" is just not true.) Accessing undeclared or suspect sites involved the following procedures:

• Consultation Phase: If the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspected undeclared nuclear material or activity at a location, it had to first present Iran with questions and seek clarification.

• The 24-Day Process: If the agency and Iran could not resolve the issue through dialogue, the Joint Commission (made up of the deal's participants) would review the request. Ultimately, the process included a mechanism requiring Iran to provide access to the requested site within 24 days.

  Enrichment: Iran was required to cap its uranium enrichment level at 3.67% purity for 15 years. Not what they have now since Trump broke the treaty. The total stockpile of enriched uranium was capped at 300 kilograms of up to 3.67% enriched material. Key facilities like Fordow were converted into a nuclear, physics, and technology center, while the Arak heavy-water reactor was redesigned so it could not produce weapons-grade plutonium.

This is All immaterial, What JCPOA did dint do!! the agreement is in the past ! the question at the moment is who is telling the truth Vance or Iran

16 minutes ago, Emdog said:

half truths here: Inspections of NEW Sites takes some time:

The JCPOA did not mandate the "anytime, anywhere" access that some international negotiators initially sought. Instead, it instituted a "managed access" inspection protocol. While the IAEA had daily access to known, declared nuclear facilities, (so your:"..were only allowed in areas Iran agreed to" is just not true.) Accessing undeclared or suspect sites involved the following procedures:

• Consultation Phase: If the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suspected undeclared nuclear material or activity at a location, it had to first present Iran with questions and seek clarification.

• The 24-Day Process: If the agency and Iran could not resolve the issue through dialogue, the Joint Commission (made up of the deal's participants) would review the request. Ultimately, the process included a mechanism requiring Iran to provide access to the requested site within 24 days.

  Enrichment: Iran was required to cap its uranium enrichment level at 3.67% purity for 15 years. Not what they have now since Trump broke the treaty. The total stockpile of enriched uranium was capped at 300 kilograms of up to 3.67% enriched material. Key facilities like Fordow were converted into a nuclear, physics, and technology center, while the Arak heavy-water reactor was redesigned so it could not produce weapons-grade plutonium.

We agree, the JCPOA did not mandate anytime anywhere inspections, and the JCPOA allowed Iran to enrich uranium.

Is that not what I said?

And thanks for pointing out that after 15 years, Iran was free to ramp up their enrichment and complete the develop a nuclear warhead.

And of course, the JCPOA did nothing to control the development and production of intercontinental ballistic missiles and military drones, so a delivery system could be ready when the nuclear warhead was complete, correct?

15 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

This is All immaterial, What JCPOA did dint do!! the agreement is in the past ! the question at the moment is who is telling the truth Vance or Iran

Given the left is rooting for Iran, you should believe Iran

The US President and VP, as well as anyone involved are spouting propaganda which will later be shown to be falsehoods. They trend toward hyperbole unfortunately.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

US Vice-President JD Vance said Iran has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country, describing the move as a significant step in efforts to secure a broader agreement following the recent conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Get today's headlines by email

Speaking in Switzerland on Monday, Vance said discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could begin “as soon as today”, with inspectors expected to start returning at least this week.

The announcement followed the first round of talks between the United States and Iran aimed at reaching a final settlement after the war. Vance said the discussions had made substantial progress and provided a strong basis for future negotiations.

Talks Target Final Agreement

Earlier on Monday, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the two sides had agreed on a roadmap intended to produce a final deal within 60 days.

Vance echoed that assessment, saying negotiators had established a “very good foundation” for a lasting agreement.

He highlighted Iran’s nuclear programme as the central issue for Washington, describing the planned return of inspectors as an important milestone and a first step toward permanently ending any potential Iranian nuclear weapons programme.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended solely for civilian purposes.

Inspectors and Nuclear Stockpiles

The 14-point memorandum of understanding signed last week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian includes provisions concerning the IAEA and Iran’s stockpile of enriched nuclear material.

Although Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons, a number of governments and the IAEA have expressed concerns about the nature of its nuclear activities.

The issue has been at the centre of international diplomacy for more than a decade. In 2015, Iran and six major powers — the United States, China, France, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom — reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the JCPOA.

The agreement imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear programme and granted IAEA inspectors broad access to nuclear facilities and suspected sites.

However, Trump withdrew the United States from the accord in 2018, arguing that it failed to provide permanent restrictions and did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

Following the 12-day war in June 2025, Iran suspended IAEA access to sites targeted by Israeli and US strikes. The following month, the agency withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country.

Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon

Vance said negotiators had also discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and arrangements to support a regional ceasefire.

According to a joint statement from the mediators, a communication channel has been established to prevent incidents and ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping through the waterway.

The parties also agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” involving the United States, Iran and Lebanon, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as facilitators. The mechanism is intended to help end military operations in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the Lebanon initiative would be the first major test of the agreement.

Despite the memorandum’s call for an end to fighting on all fronts, violence has continued in Lebanon. Israeli air strikes have reportedly killed at least 67 people since the deal was signed, while attacks by the armed group Hezbollah have killed five Israeli soldiers.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 23 June 2026

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They'll only let inspectors in until they don't let inspectors in. I hope that this is part of a cunning plan by Trump and not that he's been taken in.

3 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Think you yanks are dreaming, according to Iran they have not agreed to any inspections ! Vance is just trying to please his master to keep his job !!

Agreed!! Cannot trust anything that comes out of the Trump admin mouths ~~ just a bunch of grifters & Liars

15 minutes ago, Bigwave12 said:

Agreed!! Cannot trust anything that comes out of the Trump admin mouths ~~ just a bunch of grifters & Liars

Nuclear discussion was deliberately left off the official agenda. No talks about IAEA despite US officials attempted to frame the discussion.Cold face liars in Trump’s cabinet. All lying like their boss.

If true (and that's a big if considering the source) they would have accomplished what Obama and the Europeans had accomplished without spending billions on a war and without Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for months. Well congratulations.

Big mistake to have held that US Iran conference in some remote luxury resort belonging to Qatar. They should have followed past history and asked for the conference to be held in Geneva that has the headquarters of various UN backed international organisations and where previous peace talks were held. Also Geneva is far more under better press coverage then the Lake Lucerne Burgenstock that is plainly another Qatari owned playground for the rich that nobody ever heard about before.

9 minutes ago, Caldera said:

If true (and that's a big if considering the source) they would have accomplished what Obama and the Europeans had accomplished without spending billions on a war and without Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for months. Well congratulations.

Who are you going to believe a known liar !! who has lost this war and is trying to save face i know where my money is going

Iran Rejects US Claim on Nuclear Inspectors

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1397340-iran-rejects-us-claim-on-nuclear-inspectors/

Iran has trump over a barrel!! of course they are not going to allow inspectors in, Vance is telling B/S so he can save his job !

21 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

We agree, the JCPOA did not mandate anytime anywhere inspections, and the JCPOA allowed Iran to enrich uranium.

Is that not what I said?

And thanks for pointing out that after 15 years, Iran was free to ramp up their enrichment and complete the develop a nuclear warhead.

And of course, the JCPOA did nothing to control the development and production of intercontinental ballistic missiles and military drones, so a delivery system could be ready when the nuclear warhead was complete, correct?

Enrich to 3.6%.... current stockpile is around 60%, rich enough to make a bomb. 3.67% isn't weapons grade, full stop. Like comparing 3.2 beer to 120 proof grain alcohol. Drink a liter of beer, then next day a liter of grain alcohol and tell me they are equivalent. If you are still alive.

The agreement was about weapons, not delivery systems. Missiles without nukes limited on usefulness, ya think?

After 15 years is somehow worse than Trump tossing it out after a couple of years? That makes no sense, none whatsoever. Please explain to me that lack of logic, I really want to hear.

21 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

This is All immaterial, What JCPOA did dint do!! the agreement is in the past ! the question at the moment is who is telling the truth Vance or Iran

I'd say it is a liars contest. However, I'd be more likely to trust Iran regarding their position statements than Trump or Vance telling me what Iran's position is. Whatever the outcome, it will be worse than JCPOA, guaranteed.

23 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Enrich to 3.6%.... current stockpile is around 60%, rich enough to make a bomb. 3.67% isn't weapons grade, full stop. Like comparing 3.2 beer to 120 proof grain alcohol. Drink a liter of beer, then next day a liter of grain alcohol and tell me they are equivalent. If you are still alive.

The agreement was about weapons, not delivery systems. Missiles without nukes limited on usefulness, ya think?

After 15 years is somehow worse than Trump tossing it out after a couple of years? That makes no sense, none whatsoever. Please explain to me that lack of logic, I really want to hear.

You can make a bomb with little as 10% enrichment, but the Bomb would be the size of the good year blimp and have an inconsequentially small yield in kilotons range but it would still work,

23 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Enrich to 3.6%.... current stockpile is around 60%, rich enough to make a bomb. 3.67% isn't weapons grade, full stop. Like comparing 3.2 beer to 120 proof grain alcohol. Drink a liter of beer, then next day a liter of grain alcohol and tell me they are equivalent. If you are still alive.

No one said it was weapons grade. And 3.2 beer can be distilled to 200 proof grain alcohol.

They were left with enrichment capability.

23 minutes ago, Emdog said:

The agreement was about weapons, not delivery systems. Missiles without nukes limited on usefulness, ya think?

No, I don't think do, do you? Is the IDF nuking Gaza?

23 minutes ago, Emdog said:

After 15 years is somehow worse than Trump tossing it out after a couple of years? That makes no sense, none whatsoever. Please explain to me that lack of logic, I really want to hear.

The JCPOA allowed Iran to develop a nuclear weapon after 15 years and barred the US and or the UN to do anything to stop them.

The 15 years is up,

If the JCPOA had been worth the paper it was printed on, Obama would have put it before Congress and entered into a treaty, which subsequent presidents could not just tear up.

The JCPOA was a joke from the get.

32 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I'd say it is a liars contest. However, I'd be more likely to trust Iran regarding their position statements than Trump or Vance telling me what Iran's position is. Whatever the outcome, it will be worse than JCPOA, guaranteed.

If the JCPOA were left intact, Iran would have a bomb and a delivery system, and the US and the UN would be barred from doing anything about it.

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

If the JCPOA were left intact, Iran would have a bomb and a delivery system, and the US and the UN would be barred from doing anything about it.

Why would they? The only reason they further refined the uranium was because Trump tore up the agreement leaving them free to do whatever they wanted.

Prior to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, Iran’s nuclear program was strictly curtailed and under rigorous international oversight, with the IAEA consistently verifying full Iranian compliance. Under the terms of the deal, Iran had capped its uranium enrichment at 3.67%, limited its stockpile to 300 kilograms, and restricted both the number and the technological sophistication of its operational centrifuges. These constraints, coupled with the IAEA's intrusive 24/7 monitoring and the implementation of the Additional Protocol, successfully extended Iran's estimated "breakout time" to produce enough fissile material for a weapon to over a year, effectively freezing the program's potential for military development.