[Anchor]

After Iran denied that it had agreed to nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), U.S. President Donald Trump countered that inspectors would be deployed to Iranian nuclear facilities at the appropriate time. The two sides are also at odds over the imposition of tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reported by Washington correspondent Lee Hanseok.

[Reporter]

U.S. President Donald Trump strongly refuted Iran's denial of IAEA nuclear inspections, stating that they are wrong.

[Trump/U.S. President: Iran told us they agreed to nuclear inspections, and we thoroughly verified the inspection procedures. If what they are saying is true, I will cancel the meeting immediately.]

Regarding the timing of the IAEA inspection team's visit to Iran, he stated that they would be deployed to the site at the appropriate time, effectively treating the resumption of inspections as a settled matter.

With the U.S. and Iran set to continue high-level talks and follow-up working-level negotiations, this remark is interpreted as a warning that negotiations could collapse if Iran refuses the inspections.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President JD Vance also stated that Iran had agreed to invite the inspection team, but Iran has presented a position contrary to the U.S., claiming it has not accepted any new obligations regarding its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and expressed opposition to Iran's attempt to impose tolls.

He further emphasized that the U.S. has no one to persuade in the Gulf region, adding that he believes all countries in the region share the same view as the U.S.

It appears that Iran intends to begin collecting tolls after the 60-day period for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as promised in a previous memorandum of understanding, expires.

Iran has already issued a joint statement with Oman indicating that it is considering the imposition of transit service fees.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio drew a line regarding the $300 billion Iranian reconstruction fund, stating that there will be no such discussions until Iran changes its behavior.

(Video by Park Eun-ha)