Witkoff Says Iran Has Invited IAEA Inspectors Back to Nuclear Sites as New Talks Begin

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to return to key nuclear facilities, marking a potentially significant step in efforts to revive monitoring of Tehran’s nuclear program.

Speaking amid renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, which Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei claims he personally authorized, Witkoff indicated that Iranian officials had invited the U.N. nuclear watchdog to inspect sites linked to the country’s nuclear activities. The move comes after a prolonged standoff in which IAEA inspectors were denied access to several facilities, including sites damaged during military strikes in 2025.

The return of inspectors is expected to become a central element of negotiations aimed at ensuring Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon while securing sanctions relief and broader economic normalization.

The issue of inspections has been one of the most contentious aspects of the nuclear dispute. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned earlier this year that the agency could not indefinitely operate without access to critical Iranian facilities. Grossi noted that inspectors had been unable to visit major sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, while questions remained about the whereabouts of hundreds of kilograms of highly enriched uranium.

Restoring intrusive inspections is viewed by diplomats as essential to any long-term agreement. Key issues include verifying Iran’s uranium stockpiles, monitoring enrichment activities, and ensuring compliance with any future restrictions negotiated between Tehran and Washington.

The reported invitation to inspectors follows a broader memorandum of understanding announced after the United States and Iran agreed to halt hostilities and begin a new round of negotiations. Under the framework, Iran is expected to accept expanded verification measures while discussions continue over the future of its uranium enrichment program.

One of the largest obstacles remains Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, a level close to weapons-grade purity. Western governments have long argued that such material has limited civilian justification and could significantly shorten the time required to produce a nuclear weapon if further enriched. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear arms and maintains that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes.

The prospect of renewed IAEA access could help build confidence among Western governments and international observers who have questioned whether Iran would permit independent verification of its nuclear commitments.

For the IAEA, the inspections could provide the first opportunity in months to assess conditions at facilities affected by previous military strikes and determine the status of enriched uranium stockpiles that have become a focal point of international concern.