Iran Talks Bog Down Over Nuclear Program and Sanctions Relief – WSJ
Progress toward a deal to end the war with Iran slowed Monday as both sides dug in over references to Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief, mediators said.
The slowdown followed a weekend that began with President Trump and other officials saying a deal was close and ended with Trump saying he would not rush into an agreement that was not right.
The sides are working toward a memorandum of understanding that would end the fighting and ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for 30 days while laying the groundwork for later talks on Iran’s nuclear program. A senior U.S. official said Sunday that sanctions relief would depend on progress.
The U.S. wants firmer upfront commitments from Iran on its nuclear program, while Iranian negotiators are seeking specifics on sanctions relief and frozen assets. Mediators said U.S. officials fear Iran could delay nuclear concessions after securing relief.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said progress had been made but no agreement was imminent. Parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Qatar to address remaining disputes, state media said.
Both sides face pressure to reach a deal. Trump wants to end a war unpopular at home that has pushed up gasoline prices. Iran is seeking financial relief as war and a U.S. blockade deepen an economic crisis.
Arab states including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates support the effort and want guarantees of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has agreed to waive transit fees during talks but says it still maintains authority over the waterway.
Israel is urging Washington to seek tougher Iranian commitments and worries the U.S. could ease pressure on Tehran while limiting Israel’s ability to confront Hezbollah in Lebanon. Mediators also questioned who is directing policy in Iran, with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei absent from public view since his March appointment.
Trump has also called on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords and said Iran could eventually join after signing a peace deal.
