Washington, DC – A US official told CNN that the handling of Iran’s nuclear stockpile is still under negotiation. This comes amid ongoing talks between the two sides regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the sanctions imposed on it.
Sanctions file and nuclear program
The official explained that the issue of Iranian funds to be released under any potential agreement has not yet been resolved. He indicated that this aspect remains under discussion between the two sides and no final agreement has been reached.
He added that the United States insists that sanctions relief for Iran cannot proceed until clear steps are taken to curb its nuclear program. These steps include limits on enrichment levels and international monitoring mechanisms.
The official noted that some economic provisions of the agreement, including the release of frozen funds, are also linked to Iran’s conduct on regional and security issues. Among these issues is the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Complex and multi-track negotiations
These statements come amidst negotiations described as complex, encompassing nuclear, economic, and security aspects. Meanwhile, regional and international mediation efforts continue to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran.
Observers believe that the interconnected nature of the issues under discussion reflects the difficulty of reaching a swift final agreement. This is despite repeated reports of progress on some points.
The US-Iranian talks are being closely followed internationally due to their direct impact on regional stability, global energy markets, and maritime security in the Gulf.
The international community is also watching to see if the negotiations will succeed in overcoming the existing differences. Furthermore, they anticipate reaching a comprehensive framework for understanding in the coming phase.
