Vice President J.D. Vance announced that international nuclear inspectors are scheduled to return to Iran.
In an interview with NBC News on the 16th, Vice President Vance addressed the question of whether the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors would return to Iran, stating that it is “one of the key provisions very clearly specified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran.”
While noting that the timing of the resumption of inspections would be discussed later, Vice President Vance expressed optimism, saying, “Because a broad consensus has been formed, the resumption of inspections will also take place quickly.”
He then stated, “The IAEA and the United States will support the dismantling of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles.” Vice President Vance further emphasized the necessity of implementing the agreement, saying, “If Iran keeps its long-term commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, it can develop into a successful nation.”
Vice President Vance announced that the United States and Iran have agreed on a basic framework to end the war, and that the full text of the MOU is scheduled to be released following the official signing ceremony in Switzerland on the 19th.
Regarding the delay in releasing the document, he explained, “It is because there is a need to coordinate the technical details of the implementation process rather than the agreement itself,” and highlighted that Qatar and Pakistan played important roles in the mediation process. He also dismissed the assessment by some that the agreement with Iran reached by the Donald Trump administration is not significantly different from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA – Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) signed during the Barack Obama administration in 2015.
Vice President Vance claimed, “The Obama administration was tantamount to paying money to halt Iran’s nuclear program,” adding, “However, Iran’s nuclear program has now been completely destroyed.” Regarding proposals raised within Iran to impose transit fees on the Strait of Hormuz, he stated, “An agreement has been reached allowing ships to pass free of charge for the 60 days while final negotiations are underway.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Fezeshian assessed the agreement with the U.S. as “significant progress toward halting hostilities and starting negotiations,” but noted that “a final agreement has not yet been formed.”