Iran insists on sanctions relief guarantees before nuclear deal

Iran has been engaged in nuclear negotiations with the United States, mediated by Oman, amid concerns regarding its nuclear program. Iranian officials state that they will not enter into any agreement until they receive clear and reliable assurances regarding the end of economic sanctions imposed by the US. During recent statements, Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, emphasized that without detailed clarity on how these sanctions will be lifted, no agreement can be reached. These talks follow multiple rounds of discussions that have been characterized by considerable tensions and unmet expectations from both sides. The situation has escalated as the US has reportedly instructed its officials to pause new sanctions against Iran, which Tehran views as a tentative shift in Washington's approach. However, Iranian officials remain skeptical, highlighting that mere pauses in sanctions are insufficient without guaranteed and verifiable relief. They assert that past experiences have shown that without such reassurances, sanctions could be reimposed at any time, reinforcing Tehran’s unwillingness to trust vague promises from the US. As these negotiations unfold, Iranian officials are poised to respond negatively to a proposal from the US that includes stipulations for halting uranium enrichment in exchange for participation in a regional nuclear fuel consortium under international oversight. Tehran has reiterated that it is committed to mastering nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and rejects claims that it wishes to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranian leadership has declared its intent to maintain some level of enrichment for civilian use, which remains a primary point of contention in the negotiations. Concurrently, discussions at a recent meeting in Cairo among Iranian, Egyptian, and UN representatives focused on Iran's nuclear aspirations, particularly in the context of the International Atomic Energy Agency's warnings about Iran's increased uranium enrichment activities. This has led to heightened concerns among international observers about the potential risks involved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been vocal about Iran's commitment to its nuclear rights while seeking to ensure that any future deals respect its sovereignty and right to enrichment, causing ongoing frustration and uncertainty in US-Iran relations.