[Anchor]

Following the first round of talks between the United States and Iran, the two sides have agreed to allow nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, whether nuclear disarmament is truly achievable and what will happen in the Strait of Hormuz after 60 days remain questions with a long road ahead for concrete agreements.

Our first report today (June 23) comes from correspondent Kwon Yeongin in Switzerland.

[Reporter]

The first high-level talks between the U.S. and Iran regarding the implementation of the previous memorandum of understanding concluded with both sides offering self-congratulatory assessments.

U.S. Vice President Vance, who led the American delegation, highlighted the establishment of a mechanism to ensure the continued opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the creation of de-escalation bodies, such as a channel to prevent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as key achievements of the talks.

He also emphasized the establishment of a working-level negotiation process to continue high-level discussions and, most notably, cited Iran's agreement to allow the entry of IAEA nuclear inspectors as the biggest breakthrough.

[J.D. Vance / U.S. Vice President: This agreement is a very important milestone for the American people and the first step toward permanently dismantling or completely ending Iran's nuclear weapons program.]

President Trump also stressed that Iran would agree to inspections of major weapons facilities to ensure nuclear transparency.

However, criticism has emerged within the U.S. that core issues related to nuclear disarmament, such as the disposal of highly enriched uranium, were not discussed in depth.

Iran is even more positive than the U.S.

In particular, it assessed the agreement to create a mechanism with neighboring countries regarding transit through the Strait of Hormuz as a significant development.

In fact, Iranian lead negotiator and Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf immediately traveled to Oman to hold related consultations.

Iran also emphasized that there has been significant progress regarding the unfreezing of assets and crude oil exports. Following the talks, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it would allow Iranian crude oil exports for 60 days starting yesterday.

Regarding the acceptance of IAEA inspectors, Iran drew a line, stating that the process can only proceed after approval from the Iranian parliament, indicating that it is not an unconditional acceptance of inspections.

Having concluded the first high-level talks, the U.S. and Iran are set to continue working-level negotiations at the Bürgenstock Resort this week, with delegations from Qatar and Pakistan also participating.

(Reported by Kim Si-nae | Video by Kim Byeong-jik)