US-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel minister says won’t pull out forces from southern Lebanon despite American demand
The UN’s nuclear agency head today signalled that his inspectors would visit the Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, a key component in the initial deal sealed between the United States and Iran to work out an end to the war.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Mariano Grossi said the accord explicitly mentions “that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with regard to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA – in all letters. Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen.”
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The US and Iran have offered conflicting statements, including on nuclear inspection, as negotiators push for a final agreement within a 60-day deadline. Iran has dismissed claims that it will allow nuclear inspectors once again into the country, after US President Donald Trump said Tehran had agreed to the “highest level” of monitoring, Al Jazeera reported.
In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump had claimed a record 19 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz in a single day and said oil prices were falling as tensions eased. Trump said Iran had accepted “the highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future” and argued the inspections would ensure what he called “Nuclear Honesty”. “If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has started evacuating more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf waters because of the war against Iran. While Iran has been pushing for a charge to be levied on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned no country should impose tolls.
5 things from the Switzerland talks
- Conflicting claims on nuclear inspectors: Vance said Iran agreed to admit UN nuclear inspectors “this week.” Iran’s foreign ministry said it had made “no new commitments” on the issue.
- US lifts oil sanctions for 60 days: Washington temporarily suspended oil sanctions on Iran, allowing Tehran to sell at market prices and transact in US dollars a major policy reversal.
- Frozen assets signed, but not settled: Iran’s central bank said memoranda were signed to begin releasing frozen assets. Vance said no final agreement had been reached on the complex issue.
- Hotline on Hormuz, de-confliction cell for Lebanon: Both sides agreed to a communication line to reduce Hormuz misunderstandings. A separate Lebanon cell, facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, was set up to enforce the ceasefire.
- Iran’s nuclear programme left for later: The hardest question what to do about Iran’s uranium stockpile and enrichment rights was not resolved. Iran’s president said Tehran would “never back down” from its right to enrich uranium.
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Summary
President Donald Trump addressed recent diplomatic developments concerning maritime transit through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. He announced that Iran had formally communicated to the United States that no tolls were being imposed or sought from commercial vessels navigating this critical waterway. This statement came amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and discussions regarding global shipping lanes. Trump emphasized the importance of accurate information in these high-stakes negotiations. He explicitly warned on social media that if Iran’s assertion regarding the absence of tolls were proven to be false information, the United States would immediately terminate all ongoing negotiations with Tehran. This ultimatum underscores the gravity attached to the claims made by the Iranian government and the potential consequences of deception. The situation highlights the delicate balance of power in the region and the United States’ firm stance against any perceived unfair practices that could disrupt international trade routes. The announcement reflects broader efforts to stabilize relations while maintaining pressure on Iran to adhere to agreed-upon principles.
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