It has been claimed that US President Donald Trump is open to easing economic sanctions on Tehran and releasing frozen Iranian assets if Iran takes concrete steps regarding its nuclear program.
According to a report by Axios, which cites unnamed US officials, Qatari and Pakistani mediators have intensified contacts this week to establish a basis for a potential agreement between the US and Iran.
A US official, who is said to be informed about the talks, described the process as "positive and constructive." The same official stated that Iran is acting "flexible" regarding nuclear warheads, but that there are still significant disagreements between the parties.
According to the official, one of the main issues hindering an agreement is which side will take which step and when. The US side is sending the message that an agreement will not be possible without addressing nuclear issues.
It was also reported that the White House is approaching Iran's commitments with caution. It is stated that the US administration wants assurances that Tehran is not merely trying to alleviate the pressure it is under and that it is serious about the negotiations.
The official cited in the report argued that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz continues to increase, and that sanctions and pressure elements have weakened Iran's position. The official said that Trump is acting "patiently" and has not stepped back from the goal of ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
While no official and final agreement announcement has come from the parties, the course of the talks is being closely watched in terms of both regional security and energy markets.
News Source: 12punto
