U.S. Official: No Iran Deal Without the Nuclear Issue, but Sanctions Relief Is on the Table

A U.S. official told Al Jazeera that Washington is continuing what it calls a positive discussion with Iran through intermediaries, but that there will be no agreement without addressing the nuclear issue.

Channel: the talks are continuing through intermediaries, the official said.

Nuclear condition: the official said no deal is possible unless Iran's nuclear program is addressed.

Sanctions relief on offer: the official said President Trump is ready to ease sanctions and release frozen Iranian assets in exchange for progress on the nuclear file.

Skepticism: the official said Washington doubts Iran's promises, citing what it calls Iran's violation of the June memorandum of understanding by firing on commercial ships.

Background

The ships claim. It appears to refer to July 6–7, when Iranian forces fired on three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official called the strikes a "gross violation" of the June 17 memorandum, and Trump declared the agreement over that week. Iran disputes the U.S. account of who broke the deal, saying U.S. strikes on coastal sites and the return of oil sanctions violated it. The memorandum has since expired.

Where the talks stand. The remarks come days after Trump said he rejected an Iranian proposal delivered during indirect talks in New York. That plan would have reopened the Strait of Hormuz and restarted nuclear talks within a week if the U.S. lifted its naval blockade, waived oil sanctions, and reinstated a regional ceasefire. Qatar and Pakistan have been relaying messages between the two sides. Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said Tehran no longer trusts talks with Washington and has called the U.S. the aggressor in the conflict.