Iran seeks guarantees US will stay in any new nuclear deal - WSJ

Iran plans to propose a series of terms for a new nuclear pact, including guarantees from the Trump administration that the United States will not withdraw from any future agreement, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Iran also plans to discuss how its current stockpile of enriched uranium could be managed under a deal, the process for lifting economic sanctions, and its hopes of arranging a high-level visit to Washington, according to Iranian and Arab officials cited by WSJ.

The report added that a spokesman for US envoy Steve Witkoff declined to comment on Iran’s demands but said, “The President has been clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or enrichment program.”

“As we continue to talk, we expect to refine a framework and timetable for working towards a deal that achieves the President’s objectives peacefully,” the spokesman added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday is expected to propose a framework Tehran hopes would ensure the US doesn’t withdraw from a future nuclear pact, the report said citing European and Iranian officials and another person familiar with the Iranian position.

According to these sources, as part of those guarantees, Iran wants the US to cover Tehran’s losses if Washington was to pull out of a deal, the report added.