Iranian officials stated on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that the implementation of key provisions of a recently agreed memorandum of understanding (MoU) must be completed before negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program and the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can proceed. The statement was made by a senior Iranian diplomat in Dubai, according to reports.
The MoU, details of which have not been fully disclosed, appears to cover broader bilateral or regional issues. Iranian officials emphasized that progress on the nuclear file is contingent on the fulfillment of this agreement, linking the two issues for the first time in recent months.
Separately, Iranian authorities reiterated their control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. This assertion comes amid ongoing tensions with the United States and its allies over maritime security in the Persian Gulf.
The IAEA has not commented on the Iranian statement. The agency's inspectors continue to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, though access has been limited in recent years. The United States and European powers have called for renewed negotiations without preconditions.
