Iran Rejects U.S. Claims: No New Commitments on Nuclear Inspectors After Talks

Tue Aug 18 2026 20:20:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After the first round of US‑Iran talks, Tehran denies Vice‑President JD Vance’s assertion that nuclear inspectors will return, saying no new commitments have been made.

Following the first Swiss‑hosted round of US‑Iran talks, Vice‑President JD Vance claimed inspectors could be invited back to Iran immediately. Iran’s foreign ministry counter‑acted, stating no new commitments were made to allow IAEA inspectors. While the U.S. temporarily waived sanctions and vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, Tehran remains firm that any return of inspectors will follow existing parliamentary procedures. The dispute has reopened debate over the future of sanctions relief and the future of Iranian nuclear oversight.

Iran denies Vice‑President JD Vance’s claim that it will allow nuclear inspectors back into the country, despite the first round of Washington‑Tehran talks.

Following meetings in Switzerland’s Bürgenstock, Vance said on Monday that discussions with the IAEA could begin “as soon as today.” However, Tehran’s foreign ministry released a statement noting it had “made no new commitments” on nuclear inspections.

The U.S. and Iran have continued to issue conflicting remarks. Tehran’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said it would not let inspectors into sites bombed by the U.S. and Israel last summer, while President Donald Trump posted that Iran had “fully and completely agreed” to inspections.

In related moves, the U.S. Treasury temporarily waived sanctions, allowing Iranian crude and petrochemicals to be sold in U.S. dollars for the first time in decades. The 60‑day waiver also permits banking, insurance and transportation arrangements for Iranian oil.

In a joint statement, Qatar and Pakistan highlighted the “road‑map towards a final deal within 60 days,” urging the U.S. and Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and to de‑conflict military operations in Lebanon.