Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency will continue “according to the usual procedure” and in line with decisions taken by parliament and the Supreme National Security Council. At the same time, Tehran insisted the nuclear issue was not negotiated in the 18-hour talks held in Switzerland. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran “did not negotiate on the nuclear file during the talks and did not assume any new commitments.”
Washington gave a very different account. US Vice President JD Vance said progress had been made on the nuclear front, claiming the Iranians agreed to invite international inspectors into the country. He said the talks had laid the groundwork for a final agreement and that technical discussions would continue through the week, with an IAEA visit expected as early as this week, possibly even later Monday.
Alongside the diplomatic track, the US Treasury issued a temporary 60-day general license allowing the production, supply and sale of Iranian crude, petroleum products and petrochemicals until August 21. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move was made “in accordance with the fruitful talks in Switzerland,” adding that Iran had committed to free passage in the Strait of Hormuz and to allow IAEA inspectors into the country. The license also covers banking, insurance, shipping and related export activities, and for the first time under the temporary waiver, imports of Iranian oil and petrochemical products into the United States when needed to complete a deal or delivery.
President Donald Trump has framed the understanding as aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ensuring free movement for tankers and commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the US could restore pressure and did not rule out renewed military strikes if Iran violates the terms. US officials are presenting the sanctions relief as limited and conditional, meant to test Tehran’s seriousness while talks continue on a permanent deal. A report in The Guardian said mediators from Qatar and Pakistan announced a roadmap for a final agreement within 60 days, while Iranian and US positions on the nuclear file remain sharply divided.
