A Qatari-mediated draft would link an Iranian nuclear concession to a partial release of frozen assets as negotiators seek an interim understanding, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Tuesday.
The outlet said Washington had approved a memorandum that Qatari mediators delivered to Iran on Monday, citing sources close to the mediation team. Under the proposal, Tehran would announce a concession on its nuclear program as Washington announced a partial release of Iran’s frozen assets, with both announcements made at the same time.
The sources also said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates approved the memorandum after mediators briefed them. Mediators were still discussing initial steps and how to announce an interim understanding intended to lead to renewed negotiations.
Reuters has reported disagreement over the order of talks: Washington wanted nuclear issues addressed first, while Tehran wanted the U.S. port blockade ended and oil-export sanctions lifted first. The latest account follows an earlier Reuters report in which a senior Iranian official rejected Qatar’s ideas as unacceptable and said they were not an offer. The official also told Reuters Iran’s nuclear policy had not changed.
