Moscow: Iran is ready to return to the levels of uranium enrichment envisaged by the 2015 nuclear deal, subject to certain conditions from the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Iranian and European officials.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in exchange, Iran wants a rapid easing of nuclear-related sanctions from the United States, access to billions of dollars in frozen assets, and an end to US pressure on Chinese buyers of Iranian oil.
On Saturday, indirect talks were held in the Omani capital of Muscat between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special presidential envoy Steven Witkoff. According to Witkoff, the talks between Iran and the United States in Oman were positive and constructive. Araghchi also called the atmosphere of these talks constructive and calm, thanked the Omani foreign minister for his efforts in exchanging views between the Iranian and US delegations, and announced that the second round of talks between Iran and the US would be held on Saturday, A
pril 19.
In early March, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he said that he would prefer to conclude a deal with Tehran on the Iranian nuclear program, threatening a military response otherwise. According to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Tehran in a response letter refused the US direct talks on the nuclear program, the window for negotiations is open only with the mediation of third countries.
In 2015, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Iran concluded a nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) that provided for the lifting of sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. During Trump’s previous presidential term, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions against Tehran. In response, Iran announced a gradual reduction in its obligations under the agreement, abandoning, in particular, restrictions on nuclear research and the
level of uranium enrichment.