Negotiators pushing Iran for nuclear program concessions in exchange for US peace talks - report

Negotiators between Iran and the United States are urging Iran to make concessions on its nuclear program in exchange for restarting peace talks, according to mediators cited by The Wall Street Journal. A high-level Middle East government official involved in the negotiations told the WSJ that Iran had previously been close to compromising on its nuclear program during talks with US Vice President JD Vance, but now demands explicit assurances that it will not face an attack from Israel after reaching a deal with the US.

Other officials stated that Iran is confident it could endure a prolonged US blockade or renewed bombing campaign. Arab officials and mediators also reported to the WSJ that Iran has not offered any concessions since US President Donald Trump rejected the latest ceasefire proposal, and they insist that Iran wants the US to make concessions before engaging in any further negotiations.

Umer Karim, a researcher on Gulf security at the University of Birmingham, suggested that Iran believes former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party will lose the midterm elections, which could result in a more forceful approach from the Trump administration toward Iran. Karim added that "at this time, a concession by any party would be seen as an expression of weakness by the other, not a willingness to resolve matters."

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghichi informed reporters at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Iran had presented the United States with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, which would build upon the June Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations. However, Trump dismissed the proposal on Saturday, stating, "They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they're losing so badly."