Iran rejects Vance’s claims of Tehran allowing nuclear inspectors, says interactions with IAEA based on ‘safeguards agreements’
Speaking to Iran’s state news agency IRNA on Monday after the latest US-Iran technical talks held in Switzerland, Baqaei responded to Vance’s words and stated that the interaction with the United Nations nuclear watchdog will be based on the “Security Agreements” between Tehran and the IAEA.
“Iran’s interactions with the Organization will continue in accordance with existing procedures, in accordance with Iran’s obligations under the Security Accords, and in accordance with the laws issued by the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC),” Baqaei told IRNA. he said.
Vance’s remarks came after the talks claimed that Iran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country as part of the progress achieved during negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to reporters at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland on Monday, the US vice president described the first day of talks as “very, very good” and said the talks were laying the groundwork for a possible final agreement.
“We’ve laid a very good foundation for a successful final agreement,” Vance said, adding: “The final agreement is the house… We didn’t build the house, but we’ve laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people.”
Vance also stated that Iran allowed nuclear inspectors to enter the country and that inspection mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure that Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons. The diplomatic talks in Switzerland are intended to address long-standing tensions between the two countries, including Iran’s nuclear program, uranium enrichment activities and broader regional security concerns.
However, according to sources familiar with the talks cited by IRNA, Iran did not engage in discussions regarding its nuclear program and did not make any new commitments during the negotiations.
The sources also said that any future nuclear talks between Iran and the US under the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at resolving the conflict in West Asia would be contingent on the implementation of Paragraph 13 of the agreement.
The divergent statements from Washington and Tehran underscore the challenges both sides face as they try to advance diplomatic efforts and reach a broader understanding of contentious nuclear and security issues.
