Tehran has flatly denied agreeing to any new nuclear restrictions, hours after US envoy James Vance publicly invited international inspectors to visit undeclared sites, according to three diplomatic sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. The denial throws a wrench into Western efforts to restore oversight of Iran's atomic programme, raising fresh doubts about the viability of diplomatic channels.
Vance, the US special representative for Iran, told reporters in Vienna on Tuesday that Iran had 'signalled willingness' to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to military sites. He said the move could pave the way for broader talks. But within hours, Iran's mission to the UN issued a statement dismissing the claim as 'baseless propaganda' and insisting that no such commitment had been made.
'There is no new agreement. No additional access. Nothing has changed,' a senior Iranian official told this paper. 'The Americans are trying to create a narrative that does not exist.'
Britain, which has been pressing for tougher verification measures, responded cautiously. A Foreign Office spokesperson said London 'fully supports the IAEA's independent verification and monitoring' and called on Iran to cooperate 'without delay.' The UK has long insisted that any deal must include snap inspections and access to undeclared sites a stance that puts it at odds with Tehran's latest position.
Western diplomats acknowledged the contradiction between Vance's upbeat comments and Iran's flat refusal. One European diplomat described the situation as 'a mess' and said the US envoy may have 'jumped the gun' in his eagerness to show progress. 'You cannot have a breakthrough if the other party does not agree to the terms,' the diplomat said.
The IAEA declined to comment on Vance's statement, but its inspectors have been frustrated by Iran's continued lack of cooperation. The agency's latest report, circulated to member states last week, found 'no progress' in resolving outstanding questions about past activities.
Iran's uranium enrichment remains at near-weapons-grade levels, according to the IAEA. Stockpiles are estimated at more than 30 times the limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US abandoned in 2018. Current talks in Vienna have failed to revive the accord or establish alternative safeguards.
Analysts said the public back-and-forth reveals deep distrust on all sides. 'The Iranians are playing for time, the Americans are trying to score diplomatic points, and the British are stuck in the middle demanding standards that no one can meet,' said Dr. Farzad Ramezani, a nuclear policy expert at Chatham House.
The UK's insistence on full verification may reflect post-Brexit ambitions to play a lead role in non-proliferation. But with Tehran denying any new commitments, British officials face an uphill battle to turn rhetoric into reality.
Meanwhile, the White House has not commented on Iran's denial. Vance is scheduled to brief Congress next week on the status of negotiations. The coming days will test whether the US envoy's optimism was premature or whether a verifiable agreement remains within reach.
