Media: Trump ready to ease sanctions against Iran in exchange for concessions on nuclear program
US President Donald Trump is ready to ease sanctions against Iran and unlock some of the frozen Iranian funds if Tehran takes concrete steps regarding its nuclear program.
This is reported by Axios with reference to American officials.
According to a representative of the US administration, Washington is ready to discuss sanctions relief and Iran's access to frozen assets in exchange for "concrete progress" on nuclear issues. At the same time, the American side emphasizes that there will be no agreement without resolving key issues around the Iranian nuclear program.
The US and Iran are currently continuing indirect contacts through the mediation of third countries. One of the American officials characterized the negotiations through intermediaries as "positive and constructive".
Trump also expects that the next round of contacts will take place already this week. On the American side, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are participating in the negotiations.
The main subject of disagreement remains Iran's nuclear program. Washington seeks restrictions on uranium enrichment and resolution of the issue of already accumulated stocks of enriched material. Economic concessions are considered by the US as a tool that should be directly linked to Tehran's fulfillment of specific conditions.
The unblocking of Iranian assets is one of Tehran's key demands. Significant amounts of Iranian funds remain frozen abroad due to American sanctions, and easing restrictions would also allow Iran to export oil more freely and receive foreign currency earnings.
At the same time, the negotiations remain difficult. Last weekend, Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal regarding the conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations, calling it unacceptable.
Earlier, Tehran offered to resume negotiations on the nuclear program and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz on the condition that the American naval blockade be lifted, sanctions on oil exports be eased, and the ceasefire regime be restored.
Thus, so far we are not talking about a decision made to lift sanctions, but about the readiness of the Trump administration to use economic easing and frozen assets as part of a possible deal with Iran.
