Chicago – June 16, 2026
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Iran will permit international nuclear inspectors to return as part of a tentative agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending months of conflict and reducing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking in media interviews on Monday, Vance said the deal requires Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and international partners to address its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He described the return of inspectors as a central element of the agreement and a key step toward ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.
The preliminary memorandum of understanding, signed electronically by both sides, also includes provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. officials said sanctions relief would be tied to verified Iranian compliance and international inspections.
While markets welcomed the breakthrough, officials cautioned that the agreement remains a framework and that detailed negotiations are still underway. Critics have questioned whether Iran will fully implement its commitments.
