Moscow ready to mediate in Iran-US nuclear talks if asked, envoy says

An Iranian lawmaker said on Friday that Tehran and Washington may reach a limited, temporary nuclear agreement, though it remains unclear whether such a deal would serve the interests of either side.

Vahid Ahmadi, a member of Iran’s parliament and its national security and foreign policy commission, told Didban Iran that “with Trump needing at least one foreign policy achievement in the near future, a temporary and limited agreement between Iran and the US is possible.” However, he added, “it is not clear whether this agreement would be the one we are looking for, or the one they are looking for, and whether it could serve the interests of both countries or not.”

Ahmadi said that “Trump has excessive demands, but he also needs to show the American public that if he rejected the JCPOA, it was to pursue something better.” He added that Tehran also seeks greater concessions than those included in the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Iranian officials have repeatedly criticized.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote on Friday that the threat of attack by Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is giving US President Donald Trump leverage in ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.

"The US will need the threat of military action to get a deal worth making. An uncompromising Mr. Netanyahu isn’t a problem for US diplomacy; it’s Mr. Trump’s best asset in negotiations," the editorial said.

"Iran needs to know that the threat of a strike is alive until it gives up uranium enrichment capability—the path to a bomb. If it won’t do that, Tehran should be told there’s no stopping the Israelis."

The United States is preparing to present Iran with a detailed “term sheet” that would require Tehran to end uranium enrichment, according to a senior US official, as nuclear talks enter a sensitive phase and concerns mount over Israeli military plans.

The official, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, said that Washington’s proposal outlines key principles for a potential deal.

“If they don’t accept these terms, it’s not going to be a good day for the Iranians,” the unnamed official said.

Negotiators from both sides have met five times since talks began on April 12, but remain at an impasse over enrichment, a long-standing Iranian demand.

President Donald Trump said this week that talks were progressing and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking actions that could undermine diplomacy. Trump’s administration has voiced frustration over Israel’s push to retain the option of striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia’s defense minister told senior Iranian officials in April that they should take President Donald Trump’s offer to negotiate a nuclear deal seriously or risk a potential Israeli military strike, Reuters reported citing four sources familiar with the meeting.

Prince Khalid bin Salman delivered the message from King Salman during a closed-door meeting in Tehran on April 17, according to two sources close to regional governments and two Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were present at the talks, the sources said.

The prince, who previously served as Saudi ambassador to Washington, conveyed that Trump’s team had limited patience for prolonged negotiations and that a failure to reach an agreement could raise the risk of an Israeli strike, according to the sources.

The same sources said Prince Khalid indicated it would be preferable to reach a deal with the United States rather than face the consequences of escalating tensions.

Read more here.

Prince Khalid bin Salman delivered the message from King Salman during a closed-door meeting in Tehran on April 17, according to two sources close to regional governments and two Iranian officials. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were present at the talks, the sources said.

The prince, who previously served as Saudi ambassador to Washington, conveyed that Trump’s team had limited patience for prolonged negotiations and that a failure to reach an agreement could raise the risk of an Israeli strike, according to the sources.

The same sources said Prince Khalid indicated it would be preferable to reach a deal with the United States rather than face the consequences of escalating tensions.

Iran says it's open to deal but not at any cost

Iranian officials responded that Tehran was interested in a deal to ease economic pressure, but raised concerns about the Trump administration’s “unpredictable” negotiating style.

One Iranian source said Pezeshkian conveyed that while Tehran was eager to reach a deal, it was not prepared to give up its enrichment program solely to satisfy US demands.

The message from Riyadh came as talks between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Oman, enter a critical phase. No date has been announced for a sixth round, though Trump said this week that “we are very close to a solution,” adding that Iran appears willing to engage seriously. “If we can make a deal, I’d save a lot of lives,” he said.

Enrichment, inspections, and Iranian goals under scrutiny

According to CNN, negotiators are exploring a framework that may include a multinational consortium to produce nuclear fuel for Iran’s civilian program and possible US investment. Iran has denied a separate report that it was considering a temporary pause in enrichment in return for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to civilian enrichment.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday, “The continuation of enrichment in Iran is a non-negotiable principle.”

Iran says its program is peaceful, while US and Israeli officials continue to express concern that Tehran is approaching nuclear weapons capability. A recent report by Austria’s intelligence agency described Iran’s weapons program as “far advanced,” in contrast with the US public assessment that Iran has not yet decided to build a bomb.

Tehran has also indicated it may consider allowing US nuclear inspectors under a future deal, a shift from its current restrictions, while IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said any agreement would require “very robust inspection.”