Iran accuses the US of inflexibility in negotiations. “No concrete concessions” to Tehran's proposals
Iran accuses the United States of rejecting Tehran's main demands and of making “no concrete concessions” in negotiations over its nuclear program. In parallel, Iranian officials warn that a new US attack would trigger “unprecedented” reactions.
Iran and the US accuse each other of inflexibility in negotiations. PHOTO: Shutterstock
Already strained relations between Iran and the United States appear to be entering a new deadlock stage after Iranian media reported that Washington had rejected the main demands made by Tehran in the negotiations, especially those regarding Iran's nuclear program, the topic that continues to represent the most important point of contention between the two states.
According to Iranian press agencies, quoted by Agerpres, the Washington authorities would not have made “any concrete concession” in the response sent to Iran, and the American proposals would have come with a series of conditions considered unacceptable by the Iranian side.
Iran's Fars news agency reported that the United States presented a list of five points, including demanding that Iran keep only one nuclear facility operational and transfer to the US its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
In addition, the same source claims, Washington would have refused to unlock “at least 25%” of Iranian assets frozen abroad, affected by sanctions imposed over the years. At the same time, the American side would not have accepted the payment of compensation for the losses and damages claimed by Iran during the conflicts in the region.
And the Mehr agency sent a similar message, claiming that the United States had not offered Iran “any tangible concessions” and criticizing what it described as “excessive conditions” imposed by Washington.
According to this source, the American administration would have requested severe and long-lasting restrictions on the Iranian nuclear sector and would have conditioned the cessation of hostilities in the region on the resumption of diplomatic negotiations.
What Iran asked for
On the other hand, Iranian diplomacy said last week that the proposals put forward by Tehran included clear requests to reduce regional tensions and reduce economic pressure on the country.
Among Iran's demands would be the immediate cessation of hostilities in several conflict zones in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon, but also the lifting of the blockade imposed on Iranian ports by the US Navy.
At the same time, Tehran insists on unblocking its financial assets located abroad, funds affected by American sanctions and considered essential for the Iranian economy.
Amid diplomatic tensions, the speech of Iranian officials grew even tougher. On Sunday morning, the spokesman of the Iranian armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, issued an explicit warning to the United States in case of another attack on Iran.
“The American president should know that if (…) Iran is attacked again, his country's resources and military will face unprecedented, offensive, surprising and tumultuous scenarios,” said the Iranian general, quoted by state television.
