(Dreamstime)
President Donald Trump is willing to provide Iran with sanctions relief and release some frozen Iranian funds if Tehran makes concrete progress on its nuclear program, according to reports from CNN and Axios, as U.S. and Iranian officials pursue another diplomatic opening through mediators.
A U.S. official told CNN that Washington is engaged in “positive and constructive discussions through the mediators,” but stressed that there will be no agreement unless Iran’s nuclear issues are addressed.
Axios, citing U.S. officials, separately reported Monday that Trump is willing to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concrete Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program.
The reported willingness to provide economic relief comes with significant conditions, however, and does not represent an unconditional offer to Tehran.
The development follows Trump’s rejection Saturday of Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and other economic concessions.
Trump told Axios on Sunday that he expected additional talks with Iran this week but said Tehran’s latest proposal was unacceptable.
“They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make,” Trump said, according to CNN. “It is what we would have maybe agreed to a year ago. They overplayed their hand.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Sunday that Iran had sought sanctions relief and access to billions of dollars in frozen assets before making the nuclear commitments Washington is demanding.
“The bottom line is they were asking for everything up front with a promise that they would then talk,” Waltz told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.”
The Associated Press reported Monday that mediators are continuing to work toward a U.S.-Iran agreement despite Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal.
According to AP, four officials familiar with the discussions said behind-the-scenes efforts were continuing to broker an agreement aimed at ending the fighting and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The AP also reported that Trump is willing to grant sanctions relief and release some frozen Iranian funds in return for concrete progress on nuclear issues, while Iran has indicated it is flexible on the nuclear question. The two sides remain divided over timing and which side would make the first move, according to the officials.
Reuters separately reported Monday that Qatari mediators were expected to hold talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York and separately with U.S. officials Monday or Tuesday.
The Reuters report said the discussions were expected to focus on an amended version of Iran’s seven-day proposal presented last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Iran’s latest proposal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear discussions in exchange for the lifting of the U.S. blockade and economic penalties, according to the AP.
Two regional officials told AP that mediators are working on a proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and the U.S. blockade would be lifted before additional sanctions are removed.
A major sticking point remains the nuclear issue.
AP reported that one regional official said the United States is seeking Iranian concessions that could include allowing international inspectors into the country.
The diplomatic effort comes after an earlier memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran collapsed within days of being reached in June. AP reported that the agreement envisioned discussions of Iran’s nuclear program over a 60-day period.
U.S. officials remain skeptical of Iranian assurances, according to AP, particularly after Iran fired on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest talks also come as the conflict enters its eighth month and continues to disrupt international energy markets.
AP reported Monday that Brent crude was trading above $108 a barrel as fighting and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continued to affect global oil supplies.
Trump has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is a central condition of any agreement.
“The key is Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said Monday, according to CNN.
The latest diplomatic push leaves the United States and Iran engaged through intermediaries even as they remain divided over the terms, timing and sequencing of any potential agreement.
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