Iran considering suggesting to the US to begin work on a temporary nuclear agreement before resuming negotiations for a comprehensive deal. This was reported by a European diplomat and a source familiar with the matter to Axios. President Trump had previously set a two-month deadline for negotiations with Iran on a new nuclear agreement and ordered an increase in US troops in the Middle East as an additional option in case diplomacy fails. It seems that the Iranians believe that a sustainable agreement within the timeframe sought by President Trump is not achievable. Therefore, it may be necessary to consider a temporary agreement as an interim step towards a final agreement, according to Ali Vaez, the head of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group. A temporary agreement between the US and Iran could involve suspending a portion of Iran’s uranium enrichment, reducing the stockpile of 60% enriched uranium and granting more extensive access for UN inspectors to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Experts told Axios that these steps would only slightly extend the timeline for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb. However, they could help build trust for negotiations on a comprehensive agreement. A temporary agreement could also include extending the “snapback” mechanism, which was already part of the 2015 nuclear agreement. The mechanism, which triggers UN Security Council sanctions against Iran if it violates the agreement, expires in October. The White House envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi in Oman on Saturday. While the US still claims that the talks will be direct, the Iranians emphasize that the negotiations will be conducted through mediators from Oman.
Uranium Suspension and UN Access
