Trump claims Iran agreed to unlimited nuclear inspections; Tehran denies any access to bombed sites

A split over inspections

A widening gap has opened between Washington and Tehran over the scope of nuclear inspections just as technical negotiations continue. President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that Iran had "fully and completely accepted nuclear inspections at the highest level for a very long period of time (infinity!!!)" and, on that basis, he had agreed to leave the Strait of Hormuz open without further naval blockade, though US ships remain in position. Almost simultaneously, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told reporters that "we have had no meeting with the IAEA Director General and we do not foresee the agency inspecting Iranian nuclear facilities damaged by American and Zionist military aggression."

Tehran's firm denial

Hours later, President Masoud Pezeshkian, on an official visit to Pakistan, reinforced the hard line. He said Iran would never negotiate on its defense capabilities and ruled out any inspections of sites bombed by Israel and the United States. The statement directly contradicts Trump’s narrative that IAEA access was already conceded.

We will never negotiate over our defense capabilities.

Trump insists on 100% access

Speaking to reporters, Trump brushed aside the Iranian denials. "They are wrong... they told us directly and we have everything under control, 100%," he said. He added that if Tehran were correct, he would cancel the talks immediately. Trump also claimed record oil flows of 19 million barrels on Monday through the Strait of Hormuz and linked an eventual deal to using funds extracted from Iran to send American corn, soy and wheat to the country, saying Iran "has a hunger problem."

If they were right, I would cancel the meetings right away.

Fragile negotiation landscape

The public spat masks deeper fragility. The La Stampa analysis notes that the memorandum of understanding is only the first step in talks where trust has collapsed after two US attacks on Iran during the negotiation process. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has already said he accepted the deal without full conviction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is described as actively working to sabotage any durable truce, continuing operations in Lebanon as he heads toward elections.

I accepted the agreement even though I am not fully convinced.

Diplomatic maneuvering

While the technical delegations continue working, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has undertaken an urgent mission to Gulf countries to consolidate Arab allies behind the White House's hard line. The Strait of Hormuz remains a pivotal card: Trump has left it open but warns the naval presence stays, ready to reimpose the blockade. Meanwhile, Iranian statements from multiple levels of government paint a starkly different picture, with Baghaei insisting that no IAEA visit plan exists.