BBC News, Arabic Go to content main Listen Sections Main News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations News Economy Health and Science Culture and Arts World Cup 2026 Investigations Trump urges Iran to buy "American food and medicine" with funds released by Washington, and Rubio visits Gulf countries bombed by Iran Image source, EPA
US President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday that Iran would agree to major arms inspections to ensure "long-term nuclear transparency."
This came after his deputy JD Vance made similar statements, indicating that Iran had agreed to invite inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to return to the country, which is a key demand of the international community, and that talks with the agency would begin "as soon as possible, perhaps today."
In contrast, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei, said on Monday that Tehran had not discussed its nuclear program and had not accepted any new commitments during Sunday’s talks with the United States in Switzerland.
Baghaei added that Iran’s dealings with the International Atomic Energy Agency would continue according to standard procedures, pending approval from the Iranian parliament and decisions from the Supreme National Security Council.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to the Middle East for a tour to discuss the memorandum of understanding with Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Secretary of State is scheduled to visit the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, where he will meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss talks with Iran, according to a statement from the US State Department.
The statement issued on Monday indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would visit the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23 to 25.
It noted that Rubio "will discuss a range of regional priorities, including the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full, free, and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region."
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He added: "In Bahrain, the US minister is also set to meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss common priorities across the region."
This announcement comes at a time when the US and Iran are seeking to reach a negotiated settlement on a range of complex issues during a period of talks outlined by the joint memorandum of understanding, which suspended hostilities between the two countries.
Although this agreement has been widely welcomed across the Middle East, the war has affected relations between Iran and its Gulf neighbors that host US military bases.
The Iranian attacks on those countries, which included strikes on civilian infrastructure, have raised questions about American security partnerships with countries in the region.
The transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for transporting oil and gas from the Middle East, which had been largely closed throughout the war, has remained below pre-war levels, although it has seen an increase since the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
Earlier on Monday, Trump stated, "I will do what I have to do" if Iran does not comply with its agreement with Washington.
Trump added to reporters: "If Iran does not fulfill its agreement, or if it is not acting appropriately, I will do what I have to do."
He continued, affirming that Iran was supposed to use the released funds to purchase food exclusively from the United States.
He said: "All that money will go back in the form of purchases of the food they desperately need. They have 91 million people, and they can't feed them. So the funds that we will lift the restrictions on will go to our farmers."
Trump and his Iranian counterpart, President Masoud Bezhashkian, signed a temporary agreement between the United States and Iran last week after more than three months following the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, and Iran responded...