US-Iran Negotiations Make Significant Progress, Iran Agrees to IAEA Inspectors' Return, Yellen Calls It a Key Step in Denuclearization

WASHINGTON, June 22 – U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance announced Monday that "significant progress" has been made in the Iran-related nuclear negotiations spanning Switzerland, Bushehr, and Stockholm, with Iran agreeing to readmit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to its nuclear sites. Vance framed the concession as a "major milestone for the American people" and the "first step toward Iran’s permanent denuclearization." The negotiation process faced notable hurdles, Vance acknowledged, with "threats and complaints" surfacing during talks, but he emphasized that diplomatic efforts remained on track and delivered tangible results. Over the weekend, tensions briefly stalled discussions when Iran threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, citing allegations that Israel violated the regional ceasefire with strikes targeting Lebanon. Mediation from Pakistan and Qatar helped resolve those frictions and allowed talks to resume, per Vance’s remarks. Iranian Foreign Minister Alaraghi echoed the positive outlook in social media posts, confirming "significant progress" in the negotiations. He outlined key outcomes secured so far, including exemptions for Iranian oil and petrochemical exports from sanctions, the lifting of related blockades, the release of some frozen Iranian overseas assets, and support for Tehran’s domestic reconstruction and development plans. On regional stability, Vance said participating parties have established mechanisms to prevent further hostilities. The U.S. is pushing for a comprehensive regional ceasefire, including an end to Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, with progress on building these "conflict de-escalation frameworks" moving "very well," he added. Iran’s negotiating team was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Gary Babadi, according to the announcement. The team has agreed to send Agreed Director Calibaf back to Tehran, with technical-level discussions scheduled to continue in the coming days.