Video: Iran will allow UN nuclear inspectors back into country, Pezeshkian says

What Happened

On 26 September 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview with CBS News that Iran would allow United Nations nuclear inspectors to return. Pezeshkian stated, “If they wish to come in and have inspections, we can reach accords and agreements vis-a-vis that specific topic within the negotiations.” The comments were circulated by Middle East Eye. The body of the report did not specify whether Pezeshkian meant International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors or another United Nations body, and it gave no dates, locations, or terms for a return. The statement appeared within a live blog whose headline said U.S. President Donald Trump had rejected an Iranian proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, but the entry provided no further details on that aspect.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The statement signals a potential Iranian willingness to restore United Nations nuclear inspections, a central issue in the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme and Western sanctions. Since IAEA access has been restricted and reports have documented undeclared nuclear material, an offer to admit inspectors could be an opening for renewed negotiations. However, the statement is conditional and framed within broader talks, so its significance depends on whether Iran formalises the offer and whether the United States and the E3 accept it.

Watch For

Monitor whether International Atomic Energy Agency officials confirm a new inspection arrangement or schedule, whether Pezeshkian's reference is clarified in broader U.S.-Iran negotiations, and whether the next IAEA Board of Governors meeting or quarterly report addresses Iranian cooperation or access to declared and undeclared sites.