IAEA chief Grossi says Iran is obligated to allow inspections under U.S. memorandum of understanding

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said Iran is required to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to carry out verification under a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding recently reached between the two presidents.

Speaking in Japan, Grossi said the agreement makes clear that relevant nuclear activities involving nuclear material and facilities will be supervised by the IAEA, and he concluded that this means the agency “will have to inspect.” He said the IAEA is working out the practical elements of inspections—such as timing, procedures and locations—and that while the exact start date is important, the inspection requirement itself will be fulfilled.

Grossi’s remarks came after Iran and the United States offered differing public explanations of the meaning of the memorandum, including disputes over whether and when access would be granted. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said access to damaged nuclear facilities and nuclear material would be addressed only within a final framework agreement with Washington and after sanctions are lifted.

The interim understanding includes steps tied to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, including plans for dilution (“downblending”) under IAEA supervision, as efforts proceed toward negotiations to resolve remaining issues.