Iran has handed over a proposed deal to the United States regarding its nuclear programme via Qatar but says negotiations can only take place if Washington complies with seven conditions set by Tehran, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, told AFP the US was studying the proposal but would not specify its terms.
The step came amid mediators’ efforts to speed up diplomacy to end the Iran-US war and at a time when fighting is feared to resume following the US midterm elections.
Chief security official of Iran, Mohsen Rezaei, echoed Tehran’s position while visiting Russia on Thursday.
“Regarding the one-on-one negotiations, we have prepared seven conditions. We told the Americans that if they did not execute our seven conditions, we would not open the Strait of Hormuz and we would not begin the negotiation,” said Rezaei.
Iran’s demands for the talks are the removal of US sanctions, the release of Iranian frozen assets and war reparations. Washington says nuclear issues should be up for discussion before anything else.
US President Donald Trump has not ruled out further attacks on Iran and Tehran has warned of “comprehensive” retaliation if the violence recommences.
