Report: Iran-U.S. Talks Hit Sticking Points Over Nuclear Issue and Sanctions Relief

The Wall Street Journal reported this evening (Monday) that "there has been a slowdown in talks between Iran and the United States, amid disagreements over the nuclear issue and economic relief." It was also reported that Gulf states are insisting that the agreement include a clause guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Saudi television network "Al-Arabiya" reported that "Iran is prepared to remove the enriched uranium from its territory — to China." Iran wants guarantees from China before continuing with the agreement with the United States, ensuring that the uranium will not be transferred to American hands. It should be noted that until a week ago, the Iranians had proposed a similar offer involving Russia. In both cases, the United States opposes it.

In response to the report, Iran's Foreign Ministry said: "There are no Iranian nuclear commitments in any draft agreement whatsoever with the United States. All reports in the American media are simply 'pure lies.' The negotiations are meaningless because of the U.S. insistence on this issue. If the United States continues with its demands on the nuclear issue, the negotiations will be fully canceled."

Al-Mayadeen reported that the United States wants Iran to agree to give up its enriched uranium and commit not to pursue nuclear weapons before Washington unfreezes Iranian assets. Iran, for its part, wants guarantees that the assets will be released and that sanctions will be eased.

An Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, spent the entire day in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The delegation also included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran's central bank governor, Abdolnaser Hemmati. In his meetings in Qatar, Iran's central bank governor dealt with the question of unfreezing Iranian assets as part of the final agreement.

The Iranians put forward a proposal under which, in exchange for receiving tens of billions of dollars in frozen funds, they would clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and open it up. In the future, the payment Iran would charge ships passing through the strait would be determined. This proposal faces opposition from the American side. Gulf states are also not prepared for the strait to become an area under Iranian ownership.