US, Iran to resume technical talks in Switzerland amid clashing remarks on nuclear inspections

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US, Iran to resume technical talks in Switzerland amid clashing remarks on nuclear inspections

2026-06-25 05:19 Last Updated At：13:47

Despite conflicting narratives from the U.S. and Iran regarding international inspections of Iran's struck nuclear facilities, the two nations are set to resume technical-level negotiations in Switzerland at the end of June, focusing on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal, according to media reports.

In a Fox News interview on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American personnel would participate in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump said in the interview that the Iranians have "agreed to the inspectors", but he stressed that there is "no rush" regarding the inspectors' deployment.

However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Wednesday on social media platform X that access to Iran's nuclear facilities and materials "will be reviewed and resolved solely within the framework of the final agreement and as a result of the other party's practical action to terminate all sanctions".

He also said no meeting was held between Iran's negotiating team and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Switzerland in recent days, despite Grossi's request.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that U.S.-Iran technical talks are expected to resume next week, likely on June 29 or 30 in Switzerland.

Rubio made the announcement during an official visit to Kuwait, where he met with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

Rubio said the discussions will be conducted at the staff level and involve officials from the U.S. State Department, the Department of Energy and other agencies tasked with addressing technical aspects of the U.S.-Iran agreement.

The negotiations are intended to lay the groundwork for a final accord addressing Iran's nuclear activities and the future of international sanctions imposed on Tehran, according to Rubio.

The U.S. and Iran signed a peace memorandum of understanding on June 18, which provides for 60 days of negotiations toward a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal. The first round of negotiations was held in Switzerland on Sunday and Monday.

Iran's three main nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were bombed by the United States during the "12-day war" in June 2025. The sites have again been at the center of the conflict that erupted on Feb. 28 this year, with the United States and Israel launching strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets.

Germany scorches under hottest heatwave so far in 2026

Germany is sweltering through its most intense heatwave of the year, with meteorologists warning that temperatures in western and southwestern regions could climb to nearly 40 degrees Celsius.

According to the German Weather Service (DWD), a persistent high-pressure system is channeling warm air from the south into the country. Western and southwestern German regions are facing a heat wave, with some areas likely to shatter local June temperature records.

"The heat is really extreme today. It could hit 40 degrees Celsius. For this area, such weather is truly rare. Most buildings here were not designed for temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, and maybe only two percent have air conditioning. If it really exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, it could be very tough for the elderly," said one local resident in the Rhine region.

Despite the blistering conditions, many residents in Nordrhein-Westfalen, west Germany, are still out along riverbanks of Rhine River, strolling and cycling, while ice creams and chilled beverage saw a surge in customers seeking relief from the heat.

Beyond affecting daily life, the soaring temperatures are also taking a toll on the Rhine River itself. Prolonged heat has caused a significant rise in water temperatures in both the Rhine and one of its major tributaries, the Moselle. Experts warn that warmer water holds less oxygen, putting stress on fish populations and the broader river ecosystem.

Local authorities have urged the public to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, stay well-hydrated, and pay special attention to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and young children, as the heatwave is expected to persist in the coming days.