US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that Iran has agreed to grant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. Inspectors will begin pinpointing sites containing enriched nuclear material, marking a key step in ongoing diplomatic efforts. This update was shared during a confidential briefing with US lawmakers.
In a notable development the same day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba publicly endorsed direct negotiations with the United States for the first time, signaling a potential thaw in relations following the landmark agreement between the two nations.
Witkoff also revealed that a separate letter addressed to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi could enable US nuclear experts to join oversight missions under the UN framework. Should this be confirmed, Washington would view the participation of American personnel as a major advancement in the verification process.
However, analysts caution that this move might provoke political resistance within Tehran unless it is strictly presented as a technical extension of the multilateral IAEA mission, avoiding any perception of unilateral US involvement.
The agreement’s broad terms involve Tehran reducing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open without tolls for two months. In exchange, the US would ease sanctions on Iran, permitting freer oil exports and signaling a significant shift in enforcement policy. This deal initiates a 60-day window for negotiating a final resolution on Iran’s nuclear program.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance criticized Israeli officials for opposing the pact during a White House briefing, asserting that former President Trump remains the only global leader currently sympathetic to Israel. Vance also mentioned uncertainty about the timing of a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland, which depends partly on when Iranian representatives arrive.
