In brief
The International Atomic Energy Agency director‑general Rafael Grossi confirmed that inspections will take place in Iran as part of a preliminary peace deal signed with the United States. The agreement calls for the down‑blending of Iran's enriched uranium under IAEA supervision and includes provisions for shipping lanes opening at the Strait of Hormuz and lifting a naval blockade. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured Gulf allies during a visit to Kuwait and Bahrain, emphasizing that any deal would not undermine regional security. Oil prices fluctuated as the war’s aftermath unfolded, and fact‑checking teams are verifying legal specifics of the memorandum of understanding.
IAEA to Inspect Iran Sites as part of US‑Iran Peace Deal – Live update
In a press briefing on Monday in Japan, International Atomic Energy Agency director‑general Rafael Grossi announced that inspectors will indeed enter Iranian territory, following the preliminary peace agreement signed with the United States.
Grossi said, “We will be working on the modalities – dates, procedures, places – very soon.” The agreement explicitly stipulates that Iran will down‑blend its highly enriched uranium under IAEA supervision, a move that could reduce the country’s potential nuclear weapons stockpile.
The U.S. side, represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, flew to Kuwait and Bahrain to reassure Gulf allies that any arrangement would not compromise their security. Rubio emphasised that the U.S. remains “aligned with our partners in the Gulf” and that the President is open to a genuine deal but will pursue alternatives if Iran backtracks.
The deal also entails a lift of the naval blockade on Iranian ports and promises the reopening of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the UN, several ships have already passed through the strait under a scheme to evacuate sailors stranded by the conflict.
Oil markets responded to the news, with Brent crude dipping below $75 for the first time since the U.S‑Israeli war with Iran began. The move is seen as a key step in stabilising both diplomatic relations and energy security in the region.
Fact‑checks: The memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran states that nuclear activities carried out under the agreement will be supervised by the IAEA. The legal details are still under discussion, but Iranian officials have said that access to damaged facilities will be addressed only within the framework of a final deal.
