The ongoing diplomatic talks between the US and Iran have reached a critical juncture where Tehran has made it clear that no deal is possible without the return of frozen assets. Iranian officials say that mere verbal assurances or vague promises from Washington are unacceptable. According to Iranian news agencies, Tehran will not compromise on its basic conditions and national interests, while the constant changes in the US position and attempts to create obstacles are slowing down the negotiation process.
According to the current proposals, Iran has made the release of the first tranche of its frozen assets a prerequisite in the initial phase, while detailed discussions on the modalities for returning the remaining assets will be held later. According to Iranian officials, the differences over the restoration of assets have so far remained the biggest obstacle to a final agreement.
According to reports from the Iranian Middle East agency ‘Tasnim’, Tehran has not yet accepted any new restrictions or measures related to its nuclear programme. Under the proposed framework, a 60-day deadline is proposed for talks on nuclear issues, while a 30-day deadline may be set for security measures related to the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft diplomatic document also includes a clause that Israel immediately ends the ongoing war in Lebanon, in exchange for which the United States will lift or temporarily suspend sanctions on Iran’s petroleum and oil exports. However, Iran has made it clear that even if an agreement is reached, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not completely return to the pre-war position.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has claimed in a recent statement that negotiations with Iran are proceeding in a very orderly and constructive manner and the two countries are approaching a possible agreement. He maintained a tough tone, saying that there was no room for error in this process and that Iran should understand that it would not be allowed to build or acquire nuclear weapons at any cost.
President Trump thanked the Middle Eastern countries that cooperated in this process and expressed hope that if more countries become part of the historic ‘Abraham Accords’, peace could be established in the region. He also hinted that Iran might also become part of this peace process in the future. However, he made it clear that the US administration would not make any hasty decisions and that until a final agreement is reached, the economic blockade and sanctions imposed on Iran will remain in full force. Trump described the Iran nuclear deal signed under former President Barack Obama as the worst deal in history, which, he said, brought Iran closer to nuclear capability.
Analysts say that despite progress in the statements of both countries, a gap of mistrust remains. Complex issues such as asset return, lifting of sanctions, and the nuclear program will determine the success of any future agreement.