Bloomberg, citing informed sources, reported that Abbas Araqchi, in private meetings in New York, suggested that in exchange for a reduction in sanctions, access for IAEA inspectors to the bombed facilities be provided; a report that the state news agency IRNA has rejected.

Shahram Khalkhali, a researcher on international relations, said it is likely that Bloomberg’s report is accurate, but it is unlikely that Washington would accept such a conditional deal. According to him, the United States, Israel, the Gulf states, and Europe want full access—without prior notice—for IAEA inspectors to all nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic.