Trump willing to release frozen Iran funds for concrete nuclear concessions: Report

Iran has sought to put the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade at the centre of negotiations. The Trump administration, however, has made limits on Iran's nuclear activities a key condition for any agreement.

In Short

• Trump offers Iran sanctions relief for nuclear commitments
• Iran seeks end to Strait of Hormuz blockade in talks
• US remains sceptical of Iran's intentions

US President Donald Trump is willing to offer Iran sanctions relief and help release frozen Iranian funds if Tehran makes concrete commitments on its nuclear programme, Axios reported, citing US officials. This comes as Qatar and Pakistan step up mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. The two sides are sharply divided over how to end the conflict and what should happen to Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran has sought to put the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade at the centre of negotiations. The Trump administration, however, has made limits on Iran's nuclear activities a key condition for any agreement.

The latest US offer could give mediators more room to bridge those differences. It also comes days after Trump rejected Iran's proposal for a seven-day truce.

TRUMP SAYS US WILL WIN 'VERY SOON'

On Monday, Trump said that American officials had spoken with mediators working to end the conflict with Iran. Trump also expressed confidence that the US would prevail in the war, saying it would happen "very soon".

"We're going to win, as far as I'm concerned, it's going to be one way or the other," Trump said in the Oval Office. "It's going to go pretty quickly."

Trump also said gas prices would fall sharply after the US wins the war.

US SAYS IRAN SHOWING 'FLEXIBILITY'

According to Axios, a US official familiar with the indirect talks described the discussions as "positive and constructive". The official said Iran "has indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues."

But the official cautioned that major differences remain.

"There won't be a deal unless the nuclear issues are addressed," the official said. The two sides also disagree over the sequence of any potential agreement.

"The sides still remain apart on the timing of the commitments and who takes which steps first," the official said.

TRUMP REMAINS SCEPTICAL

The Trump administration also remains wary of Iranian commitments. The US official argued that the pressure on Tehran is increasing as the Strait of Hormuz blockade and sanctions continue to affect Iran's position.

"The Strait of Hormuz traffic continues to rise and the blockade and sanctions continue to degrade Iran's position. The US position gets stronger every day and President Trump remains patient and fully committed to his goal that Iran never have a nuclear weapon," the official told Axios.

The official also questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to honour a fresh agreement.

The White House, the official said, believes Iran violated a previous memorandum of understanding by firing at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in July.

"The US needs assurances this time that Iran is serious and it's not just them trying to get out of the tough situation they are in," the official said.

The allegation adds another layer of difficulty to the negotiations. Any new agreement would have to address not only Iran's nuclear programme but also the wider security and economic disputes between the two countries.

QATAR TRIES TO REVIVE DIPLOMACY

Qatari mediators are due to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York to discuss a proposal that has been under negotiation for several days. The mediators are also expected to hold separate discussions with Trump administration officials later on Monday or Tuesday. The aim is to find common ground on a possible ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider terms for ending the conflict.

According to news agency Reuters, the talks are expected to focus on an amended version of Iran's seven-day proposal, which Tehran put forward on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last week. Araghchi has remained in New York after attending the UN General Assembly. Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency confirmed that he would meet mediators on Monday morning, New York time.

The meeting, ISNA said, would "examine the latest proposals and views regarding the current situation".

The diplomatic push marks another attempt to reopen a channel between Washington and Tehran despite Trump's rejection of Iran's earlier proposal.

WHAT IRAN WANTS

At the heart of the dispute is Iran's seven-day roadmap. Under Tehran's proposal, fighting in Iran and Lebanon would stop. Iran has also called for billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets to be released and for sanctions on its oil exports to be lifted.

Tehran has further demanded an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports.

In exchange, Iran would allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to resume and return to negotiations with Washington over its nuclear programme.

But Washington's priorities are different.

TRUMP REJECTED IRAN'S SEVEN-DAY PROPOSAL

The latest diplomatic effort comes shortly after Trump rejected Tehran's proposal for a seven-day truce. On Saturday, Trump said that he had rejected the proposal. He argued that Iran was pushing for a quick agreement because of the severe pressure it was facing. Despite rejecting the offer, Trump has indicated that diplomacy has not been abandoned.

He told Axios on Sunday that US negotiators were expected to engage in further talks this week.

That has left Qatar with a narrow opening to bring the two sides closer together.

The coming meetings in New York will test whether that gap can be narrowed.

- Ends