The interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran will allow United Nations nuclear inspectors to enter Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Friday. His statement came after Iran indicated that inspectors would not get access to key nuclear sites until the two countries reached a final agreement and sanctions were lifted.

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding last week. The agreement starts a 60-day negotiation period to resolve major issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. Earlier this week, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the government had no plans to allow international inspectors to visit the nuclear facilities during this stage.

However, Grossi made it clear that inspections remain an important part of the agreement. Speaking at a press conference in Japan, he said, "There is an agreement, and to comply with that agreement, the IAEA will have to have access and inspect. We hope to be there soon."

Grossi also confirmed that U.N. inspectors had already held an initial meeting with Iranian officials to discuss technical matters. He said the first task during any visit would be to check if the IAEA seals placed on previously inspected nuclear material remained untouched. Inspectors would also verify if any nuclear material is missing.

He stressed that the inspection process must rely on proper verification instead of promises alone. Grossi said, "Intentions are not enough. We have to have a very strong verification system in place."

Iran has not informed the IAEA about the amount of enriched uranium that remained after recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes. The country has also not revealed where the material is currently stored.

According to the IAEA’s latest estimate, Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent before the conflict started. The agency says that if this uranium undergoes further enrichment, it would be enough to produce material for around ten nuclear weapons under the IAEA’s standard measurement.