Iran Denies Broad Nuclear Inspection Agreement, Limits Consent to Two Sites

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also a senior member of the negotiation team with the United States, sharply denied reports claiming Iran agreed to extensive nuclear inspections. He clarified that Iran's consent is limited to only two specific facilities: the Bushehr nuclear power plant and the Tehran research reactor. This statement contradicts U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Iran agreed to "the highest level of nuclear inspection - forever." Ghalibaf emphasized a lack of trust in the Americans, stating, "We did not trust the Americans, do not trust them, and common sense dictates we will not trust them in the future either."

Meanwhile, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently stated that a memorandum of understanding grants inspectors "full access to Iranian facilities" to ensure no nuclear weapons development occurs in Iran. Grossi expressed hope that inspectors would be on site very soon. However, Iran's denial raises serious questions about the actual scope of inspections that will be permitted, especially since Ghalibaf's statement excludes sites previously attacked by Israel and contradicts the IAEA's description of "full access." The conflicting narratives highlight ongoing tensions and mistrust between Iran, the U.S., and international nuclear watchdogs regarding the future of nuclear oversight in Iran.