A European diplomat and a source familiar with the situation told Axios that Iran intends to offer the United States an interim nuclear deal before resuming talks on a comprehensive agreement.
According to the sources, Iran is convinced that reaching a technically complex nuclear agreement within two months is impossible and is trying to buy time to avoid further escalation of regional tensions.
Former US President Donald Trump set a two-month deadline for negotiations with Iran. At the same time, he instructed them to strengthen the American military presence in the Middle East and use alternative measures in case diplomacy fails. A military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities or support for Israel in case of such actions is also possible.
The planned interim agreement could include Iran suspending some uranium enrichment processes and reducing its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium, as well as an obligation to provide UN observers with broader access to nuclear facilities. Experts say these steps will not prevent the development of atomic weapons, but they could buy time and help build confidence for negotiations on a comprehensive agreement.
In addition, the interim agreement could include an extension of the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal. This mechanism allows the UN Security Council to reimpose sanctions on Iran if it violates the agreement. It expires in October. France, Germany, and the UK have already warned Iran that they will begin the process of reimposing sanctions if a new agreement is not reached by the end of June.
