Iran and the United States are reportedly currently engaged in negotiations to establish a political framework for a new agreement concerning Tehran’s nuclear program.
While both sides aim to lay out fundamental parameters, significant details remain unresolved, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
This initiative echoes the 2013 interim agreement that served as a prelude to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under the Obama administration.
That earlier agreement offered Iran some sanctions relief in exchange for curtailing its nuclear activities. However, unlike the past, there is no indication that the current talks will incorporate similar confidence-building measures. A senior U.S. official noted that the primary objective is to outline key elements that would form the basis of a comprehensive final agreement.
The pursuit of such a framework raises apprehensions in both Washington and Israel, with fears that Iran might exploit the negotiations to advance its nuclear capabilities without committing to a binding agreement.
The 2015 deal was the result of 18 months of intense negotiations, and there are no assurances that the ongoing discussions will yield a similar outcome.
Since talks commenced on April 12, Iranian officials have frequently suggested that a framework agreement could pave the way for a new deal.
This agreement might encompass Iran’s right to develop a civilian nuclear program, a rigorous inspections regime to ensure compliance, and a commitment from Tehran to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons.
U.S. officials, however, are advocating for a more detailed framework that specifies technical aspects requiring resolution. On Friday, the two sides convened for a fifth round of negotiations in Rome, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi.
While he acknowledged progress, he cautioned that no agreement was finalized, expressing hope for clarity on outstanding issues in the near future.
A key point of contention remains whether Iran will be permitted to continue enriching uranium. Without an agreed-upon approach to this issue, technical discussions are likely to become mired in the longstanding debate that has plagued the negotiations.
Washington is firm in its stance that Iran cannot enrich uranium under any new deal, fearing that such capabilities could enable Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon—a scenario that President Trump vehemently opposed when he withdrew the U.S. from the previous agreement in 2018.
Iranian leaders have made it clear that they are unwilling to compromise on their right to enrich uranium domestically.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a successful outcome, marking a notable shift in tone amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts.
At the heart of these negotiations lies the contentious issue of enrichment, central to U.S. objectives of preventing Iran from acquiring fissile material for a nuclear weapon.
While Iran asserts that its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful, Western officials remain unconvinced, suspecting that Tehran’s intentions include retaining the capability to produce nuclear arms.
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