Iran's Foreign Ministry stated Monday that Washington has yet to demonstrate substantive changes to its sanctions policy, casting uncertainty over ongoing efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized during a Tehran press conference that “past experiences” of failed commitments require verifiable assurances before any deal is finalized.
Mediation Efforts and Sticking Points
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi recently presented a U.S. proposal during shuttle diplomacy between the capitals, though details remain undisclosed. This follows last month’s fifth-round talks in Rome, where limited progress reportedly occurred on technical matters. However, critical disagreements persist over Iran’s uranium enrichment levels and the sequence of sanctions relief.
A Delicate Balancing Act
Analysts suggest the negotiations face mounting pressure as regional stability concerns grow. While both sides acknowledge the economic and security benefits of a restored agreement, mistrust rooted in the Trump administration’s 2018 withdrawal from the original pact continues to complicate proceedings. The Biden administration maintains that Iran must first scale back nuclear activities before sanctions are lifted.
