Iran Awaits Washington's Answer as Trump Denies Offering Anything
Abbas Araghchi met Qatari mediators in New York and expects a formal American reply today. “We talked about ideas and how to find solutions to fulfil Iran’s conditions,” he said, adding that he would fly home once it arrives: “Whenever the Qataris have a response, they know how to get it to us.” An American official called the indirect talks “positive and constructive” but said there would be no deal until the nuclear programme is addressed.
Three accounts of the same negotiation are now circulating, which tells you how little is settled. An American official says Washington would relieve sanctions and release frozen funds for nuclear progress, and that Iran “has indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues, but the sides still remain apart on the timing of the commitments and who takes which steps first”. An Iranian official says Tehran’s nuclear position has not changed at all. And the president dismissed as a hoax a report that he had offered sanctions relief, while telling reporters at the White House: “We’re going to win. It’s going to go pretty quickly.” Behind the words the pressure is arithmetic. Scott Bessent says Iran could have “nothing left to trade for anything” within a fortnight once its remaining oil deliveries to China are complete, and the dollar was quoted at 2.45m rials on the open market. Watch for the answer Qatar carries today.