On the second day of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Switzerland, Iran issued a verbal statement contradicting U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s description of progress made during the talks regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.

Speaking to reporters at the Bürgenstock resort, Vance said Iran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into the country, describing the move as a “major milestone.”

“The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country,” Vance said. He added that the step was “the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran.”

However, Iranian officials quickly challenged that characterization.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news agency that Tehran had not negotiated new nuclear commitments during the Switzerland talks. He said any future cooperation with the IAEA would depend on approval by Iran’s parliament and decisions by the Supreme National Security Council. Iranian officials also stressed that the current negotiations are primarily focused on ending regional conflicts and broader political issues rather than detailed nuclear arrangements.

According to Vance, the discussions produced several areas of progress, including:

• A reported agreement for Iran to permit the return of IAEA inspectors.
  • Discussions on mechanisms governing the use of Iran’s unfrozen assets, including possible purchases of American agricultural products.
  • U.S. sanctions waivers allowing limited Iranian oil sales as negotiations continue.
  • Measures aimed at maintaining stability in the Strait of Hormuz and preventing regional escalation.

Despite the reported progress, significant differences remain between Washington and Tehran regarding the scope of any future nuclear agreement. Iranian officials maintain that no new nuclear commitments have been accepted and that any decisions concerning inspections or nuclear-related obligations will require further internal approval.

The talks are expected to continue at the technical level in the coming weeks as both sides attempt to build on the framework established in Switzerland.