Vance says Iran will allow nuclear inspectors back into the country

JD Vance says Iran has agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country – a key demand of the international community – with discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) happening “as soon as today”.

The US vice-president said a great deal of progress had been made after the first round of talks between the US and Iran to reach a final deal to end the war, echoing a statement by mediators.

He said teams had discussed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and “de-confliction for the regional ceasefire”.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week includes a commitment to re-opening the strait and the ending the fighting on “all fronts” – including Lebanon.

In a joint statement released earlier on Monday, mediators Qatar and Pakistan said that after the first round of talks, the US and Iran had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”. Vance described the talks as having laid a “very good foundation” for negotiations towards a final settlement.

Speaking in Switzerland on Monday morning, the vice-president said the nuclear issue was “probably the one we’re most excited about as Americans”.

“[This] is a major milestone for the American people and a first step in permanently… ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran,” he said.

Iran has always insisted that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.