AiBotTEHRAN – Iranian negotiators have proposed a new framework for reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, potentially paving the way for a resumption of stalled talks between the U.S. and Iran, according to officials familiar with the issue.
The proposal, seen by WSJ, suggests that Iran would be willing to discuss the country’s contentious nuclear file at a later stage in exchange for the U.S. easing some sanctions, the officials said. The idea represents a significant shift in strategy for Tehran, which has long insisted that any discussions over its nuclear program must occur simultaneously with efforts to ease U.S. economic restrictions.
Iran’s proposal comes ahead of a long-anticipated meeting among diplomats from the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, and the European Union to discuss the revival of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal, initially negotiated by the Obama administration, had aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
However, the agreement unraveled in 2018 after then-President Donald Trump opted not to extend a waiver for U.S. sanctions, prompting Iran to begin enriching uranium beyond the limits specified in the JCPOA.
The new proposal by Iran is centered on Washington gradually easing some sanctions in the coming weeks in exchange for Iran taking initial steps to scale back its nuclear activities, according to the officials. These steps might include reducing levels of enriched uranium, ceasing the operation of advanced centrifuges, and allowing international inspectors access to Iranian nuclear sites.
U.S. officials view the Iranian proposal as a positive development, but they are still waiting for clarification from Tehran on various aspects of the proposal, a U.S. diplomatic source stated.
Iran’s decision to separate discussions over its nuclear activities from the easing of U.S. economic sanctions marks an important shift in the negotiations, as this move could facilitate the creation of a clear negotiating mandate, allowing both sides to proceed with renewed optimism.
The renewed talks come at a pivotal moment for both Washington and Tehran. Iran’s presidential election scheduled for June is expected to have significant implications for the country’s foreign policy and the future trajectory of nuclear negotiations. The Biden administration, meanwhile, is under growing pressure from Congress to conclude the negotiations over the JCPOA before the current session ends in November.
Further diplomatic efforts are expected to be necessary before both parties can sign off on a potential revival of the JCPOA. Nonetheless, the current signs of flexibility from Tehran signal that Washington and Tehran are edging closer to securing a nuclear deal.