IAEA chief says Iran inspections will happen; Tehran sets conditions

Wednesday, June 24, 2026Developing

World Desk

What we know

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Wednesday in Japan that inspections of Iranian nuclear material and facilities “are going to happen,” arguing the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding signed last week explicitly requires IAEA supervision. Dates, places, and procedures were still being worked out with Tehran, he said.

Iranian officials pushed back on timing and scope. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said access to attacked nuclear sites would be resolved only under a final U.S. agreement and after practical sanctions termination. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had said Tuesday there was no clear schedule for examining bombed facilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said technical talks could resume in Switzerland around June 29–30; President Trump said inspectors would go but there was “no rush.”

What's confirmed

Grossi: MoU requires IAEA supervision of nuclear material/facilities; modalities under discussion; inspections “going to happen” (Reuters/BBC/Al Jazeera/AP).
Iran: bombed-site access tied to final deal and sanctions relief; no clear schedule asserted Tuesday (Al Jazeera/Reuters).
IAEA inspectors recently visited Bushehr but have been denied access to sensitive sites bombed in the 2025 Israel–U.S. strikes (BBC/Reuters).
60-day U.S.–Iran talks continue; Rubio eyes late-June Switzerland technical round (Al Jazeera).

What's still developing

When and where inspectors gain access to enrichment and bombed sites.
Whether Switzerland technical talks reopen on Rubio’s June 29–30 window.

Sources

Reuters — IAEA chief says Iran inspections will go ahead, working on modalities link
BBC News — UN nuclear chief says inspectors will visit Iran sites as part of war deal link
Al Jazeera — UN nuclear chief says Iran inspections will happen, Tehran says after deal link
AP News — UN nuclear boss says inspectors will visit Iran sites link