Iran is set to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to examine its nuclear facilities and begin the process of identifying and disclosing the locations of its enriched nuclear materials under a new understanding reached with the United States, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff disclosed the development during a special briefing with members of Congress and lawmakers serving on committees responsible for national security matters. The announcement comes shortly after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing tensions and creating a framework for further negotiations.
According to Witkoff, Tehran has prepared a side letter addressed to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. The letter reportedly extends an invitation for the agency to conduct inspections and would permit Grossi to bring American nuclear inspectors to Iran as part of the verification process.
The move is being viewed as an early confidence-building measure under the newly signed agreement between Washington and Tehran. Officials hope the inspections will help establish greater transparency regarding Iran’s nuclear activities and support efforts to address long-standing concerns about the country’s nuclear program.
Witkoff told lawmakers that the inspection process would focus on locating and documenting enriched nuclear materials held by Iran. The effort is expected to form part of a broader technical and diplomatic process that will unfold in the coming months as both sides work toward a more comprehensive agreement.
The announcement was welcomed by the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, who described the recognition of the IAEA’s role in the memorandum as a positive step forward.
Grossi said the agreement provides an important foundation for future cooperation and stressed that technical discussions should begin as soon as possible. He noted that the agency stands ready to engage with both the United States and Iran to develop the practical measures required to implement the commitments outlined in the memorandum.
“Recognizing the indispensable role of the IAEA is a sound starting point,” Grossi said, adding that it is now time for all parties to begin working on the concrete steps needed to move the process forward.
The memorandum of understanding signed earlier seeks to halt hostilities between the United States and Iran while opening a path toward negotiations on unresolved issues. While many details remain to be worked out, the inclusion of international nuclear inspections is seen as one of the most significant early provisions.
Diplomatic observers say the success of the agreement will largely depend on the willingness of both countries to follow through on their commitments and on the effectiveness of the verification process overseen by the IAEA.
The planned inspections are expected to begin once the necessary arrangements are finalized between Tehran, Washington and the UN nuclear agency.
