US-Iran peace talks deliver IAEA inspection pledge, 60-day roadmap and Strait of Hormuz coordination mechanism

Nuclear inspections secured

The most concrete outcome from the talks was Iran's agreement to receive inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Tehran shut the door to IAEA monitors in July 2025; the reversal marks the first access in almost a year.

“This is an important milestone for the American people and the first step toward the permanent denuclearization of Iran.”

Vance said inspectors could begin work this week and that he had already tried to contact the agency at 2 a.m., joking that "at that hour not many people pick up the phone."

Strait of Hormuz and maritime security

The two sides agreed to create a coordination mechanism for de-mining the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring safe passage. Vance said the strait is open, oil and gas prices are falling, and "millions of barrels of oil and gas that previously did not flow are now passing through." Earlier, Iran had announced it would close the waterway in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, but vessel traffic continued, albeit at lower levels than before 28 February.

Roadmap and institutional setup

Mediators Qatar and Pakistan announced that the parties had settled on a roadmap to a final agreement within 60 days. A High Level Committee will provide political oversight, while technical working groups covering Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions, and dispute resolution will continue talks in Switzerland during the week. A de-confliction cell involving the US, Iran, Lebanon and the mediators will monitor the ceasefire in Lebanon.

“Discussions took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere and brought progress, including agreeing on a roadmap leading to a final agreement within 60 days, establishing a high-level committee to ensure political oversight, and starting further technical talks.”

Tensions and the Trump factor

The negotiations were not without friction. President Donald Trump twice threatened further strikes if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again or failed to restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon. At one point the Iranian delegation walked out after a Trump social-media post but later returned. Iranian officials dismissed the US warnings as an "empty bluff."

Despite the drama, the first session stretched beyond 1 a.m. and both Vance and the Iranian delegation described the atmosphere as positive. Vance said, "The talks laid a very good foundation for a successful final agreement."

Energy market ripples

Oil prices dipped on signs of progress: West Texas Intermediate fell 0.96 percent to $75.12 a barrel, while Brent dropped 2.13 percent to $78.85. European gas, however, rose 1.2 percent to €42.60 per megawatt-hour. Analysts at ING noted that as the continent approaches the end of the seasonal gas-injection period, European storage sits at just 46.4 percent of capacity, versus a five-year average of 61.0 percent. Germany's stores are only 38.4 percent full and France's 47.6 percent, leaving the market highly sensitive to any flare-up in the Middle East.

EU (current)46.4%

EU (5-yr avg)61%

Germany (current)38.4%

Germany (5-yr avg)60.1%

France (current)47.6%

France (5-yr avg)58.2%

EU (current)

46.4 %

EU (5-yr avg)

61 %

Germany (current)

38.4 %

Germany (5-yr avg)

60.1 %

France (current)

47.6 %

France (5-yr avg)

58.2 %

Data from the article text