According to information provided by the Iranian agency, the American administration expressed consent to suspending restrictions on oil exports from Iran for the period of negotiations.
Reuters, citing its sources, adds that Iran also received the green light to continue its civilian nuclear program, although in a limited form. This is a significant turn in talks that have been going on for months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran confirmed on Monday that Iran had responded to the latest offer presented by Washington. A day earlier, Donald Trump again issued a warning to the Iranian authorities, suggesting serious consequences of failure to reach an agreement. The US president announced that without a quick compromise on Iran, “there will be nothing left of it.”
Washington's concessions on its nuclear program?
An anonymous Iranian official quoted by Reuters said that the Americans have shown a certain amount of flexibility. According to him, Tehran may continue peaceful activities in the area of nuclear energy, but their scale will be limited and the whole will be subject to control by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This solution would guarantee transparency of the work being carried out.
On the other hand, Persian media called the latest American proposal “excessive.” Fars Agency indicates that The United States expects Tehran to release its stockpile of enriched uranium and liquidate almost all of its nuclear facilities — only one center would remain open. These demands are strongly opposed by the Iranian authorities.
Tasnim noted that “unlike previous proposals”, the current document includes American consent to periodically withdraw restrictions on Iran's oil industry. This is one of the key elements of the offer that may open the way to further arrangements.
Dispute over frozen assets and ceasefire
The authorities in Tehran expect the full release of Iranian funds frozen by the US. Reuters reports, however, that Washington is willing to release only a quarter of this amount. The divergence of positions on this issue remains significant and makes it difficult to reach a compromise.
There has been a truce in the armed conflict between the United States and Iran since April 8, however negotiations for a lasting peace are not making progress. Each side rejects the partner's previous ideas for ending the dispute. The impasse concerns key strategic issues.
