The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog announced Wednesday that his inspectors would visit Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities as part of the provisional agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. However, an Iranian diplomat countered, asserting that any such inspections would only take place following the conclusion of a final deal.
These conflicting statements mirrored earlier public disagreements between the U.S. and Iran regarding nuclear inspections. In the week since the two nations signed their agreement, leaders from both sides have repeatedly expressed differing interpretations of the document’s provisions in public forums. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), acknowledged this “war of words” concerning Iran’s nuclear program on Wednesday.
Yet, these competing narratives extend beyond nuclear issues, influencing several other critical areas. These include Israel’s conflict with Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and the debate over how Tehran will utilize billions of dollars once they are unfrozen.
Through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, the United States and Iran committed to a 60-day period to resolve these and other outstanding details. Until these matters are settled through private discussions, leaders from both countries are expected to continue their public negotiations, a dynamic that risks destabilizing the fragile regional ceasefire.
The hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which pose a threat to U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts, intensified on Wednesday. Israel conducted an airstrike in southern Lebanon, resulting in two fatalities, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency. This marked Israel’s first airstrike on Lebanese territory since the latest ceasefire came into effect on Saturday. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.
Since Israel initiated a 12-day war against Iran in 2025, Tehran has prevented the IAEA from accessing its enrichment sites. The Islamic Republic is believed to possess sufficient highly enriched uranium to potentially construct up to 10 nuclear weapons, should it choose to do so. While Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, it remains the only nation globally to enrich uranium to 60% purity without an acknowledged weapons program.
Grossi’s comments represented the strongest stance yet from the United Nations agency, which plays a pivotal role in assessing the status of Iran’s nuclear stockpile. Speaking at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was impacted by a tsunami, he stated, “I can understand political statements, they are part of the reality, but the fundamental thing I would like to remind you and draw your attention to is that there has been a memorandum of understanding, signed by both presidents.”
He further elaborated that the accord “says explicitly that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regards to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA — in all letters.” Grossi emphasized, “Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or 10 days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen.” The agreement also mandates that Iran’s uranium be “downblended” from its highly enriched levels.
Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, criticized Grossi following his remarks, noting that Tehran had not met with him during his visit to Switzerland. Gharibabadi posted on X, stating, “These issues will be reviewed and decided only within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to end all sanctions and other measures.” He added, “You cannot advance the ‘stir up and take over’ policy with media hype.”
While the IAEA has been permitted to visit other nuclear facilities in Iran since the 2025 conflict, it asserts that without access to the enrichment sites, it cannot verify the precise status of Iran’s stockpile. Both Iran and the IAEA indicate that Tehran has not been enriching uranium, yet nonproliferation experts express concern that the Islamic Republic might be relocating its existing stockpile.
The U.S. and Iran reached this agreement last week, which stipulates that Tehran will dilute its enriched uranium stockpile and, in return, U.S.-backed sanctions on Iranian oil will be waived. However, the fragile ceasefire has already been challenged, with Iran announcing it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz amidst renewed fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Israel’s defense minister confirmed that the U.S. had not requested an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Later, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “as long as I am Prime Minister, we will maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon.”
Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to meet in Washington this week for direct negotiations, through which Lebanon hopes to establish a plan for Israeli withdrawal. Meanwhile, technical-level discussions between the U.S. and Iran are anticipated to resume early next week in Switzerland, with Pakistan serving as a key mediator, as reported by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
The interim deal also includes a commitment to unfreeze billions in Iranian assets. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a desire for these funds to be used for purchasing American-grown crops, but Iranian officials insist they should determine how the money is spent.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that his department would deploy personnel to Qatar to oversee the utilization of these funds. In a CNBC interview, he predicted that Iran would allocate “a very large percent” of its released money to “U.S. foodstuffs and medicines,” adding, “We will be recycling the money back into U.S. products.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on a three-nation tour of the Persian Gulf, commencing with a meeting in Abu Dhabi with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as announced by the State Department on Wednesday.
While in Kuwait, where the Trump administration declared the limited reopening of the U.S. Embassy—which had been closed during the peak of the Iran war—Rubio affirmed, “We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies.”
Before departing for Bahrain, Rubio mentioned that ongoing negotiations involve the establishment of “hundreds of specific areas” where Lebanon’s military could secure its territory. He characterized these discussions as part of an ongoing process, noting that it is “not going to happen overnight.”
