Description: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran has received elements of a proposal outlined by the US Special envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi said he received the proposal from the Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al – Busaidi during his short visit to Tehran on 31 May. Araghchi also stated that Iran would respond to the proposal in line with the country’s national rights and interests and the needs of its sovereign people. Previously, the Foreign Minister reacted to a report published by the IAEA before the UN Security Council which stated that Iran has significantly overstepped its enrichment limits in the past 10 years and was excruciatingly close to building a nuclear weapon. The Foreign Minister stated that the report was an attempt to politically and diplomatically outmaneuver Iran’s position in the negotiations and had a negative impact on the anticipated sixth round of negotiations. Alleged sources close to Iran’s foreign ministry have stated that the proposal by the US would be rejected with conviction as it stated unrealistic demands and abandoned the compromising climate of negotiating.
Impact: The US proposal coupled with the IAEA report form a layer of complexion around the ongoing negotiations as the conflicting narrative of the events further spells bilateral tensions. The US proposal is the first concrete step undertaken by either side in direction of resolving the decade – long dispute, however, as in any other negotiation, Iran would most probably rely a counter proposal with amendments outlining their own interests. The IAEA report further puts pressure on Iran as it raises concerns over its uranium enrichment and unreported activities on several nuclear sites. The Iranian regime has so far resisted the international pressure and remained unfazed by mounting threats probably counting on the opposition’s awareness of the devastating consequences in case their nuclear sites are attacked. The pressure surrounding the negotiations would continue to grow as the sixth round of negotiations would probably bring some sort of proposals and counter proposals from both sides, leaving the nuclear question unresolved.