In a notable shift, Iran signaled on Wednesday that it may permit U.S. inspectors from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog to access its facilities—if a new agreement is reached with Washington.
Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said Tehran could “reconsider accepting American inspectors through the agency” should a deal materialize that meets Iran’s conditions. He emphasized, however, that inspectors from nations deemed historically hostile have long been unwelcome.
The development comes as Iran and the United States have held five rounds of indirect negotiations in recent weeks, their most substantial engagement since the Trump administration unilaterally abandoned the 2015 nuclear accord in 2018. The talks, shrouded in diplomatic caution, have been facilitated by Oman, whose mediation was publicly acknowledged by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his official visit to Muscat.
While expressing cautious optimism, Iranian officials maintain firm red lines—chief among them, uranium enrichment. “This is non-negotiable,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. He reiterated that enrichment remains a cornerstone of Iran’s civilian nuclear program and that any compromise undermining this right is “unacceptable.”
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent purity, far exceeding the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 deal but still below the 90 percent level typically required for weapons-grade material. Eslami insisted the enrichment level is dictated by “the type of use” and should not be politicized.
U.S. officials, including lead negotiator Steve Witkoff, have echoed concerns over high-level enrichment, while European signatories to the original pact—France, Germany, and the UK—are deliberating the reactivation of the “snapback” mechanism, which would restore UN sanctions due to Iran’s non-compliance.
Tehran, in turn, has warned that such a move could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts and further escalate tensions.
