Description: Conflicting reports from several media agencies arose speculations that Iranian foreign officials raised the issue of halting uranium enrichment levels in exchange for lifting some of the imposed sanctions. More concrete statements were solicited from Iran’s nuclear official Mohammad Eslami who stated that IAEA inspectors could be allowed permanently in Iran’s developing nuclear sites to ensure that the country upholds the predetermined conditions in developing nuclear capacities for civilian use. IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi has praised the ongoing nuclear negotiation as extremely positive and also mentioned that there were possible resolutions on the horizon which included inspectors from IAEA monitoring Iran’s uranium enrichment. US President Donald Trump also said on Wednesday that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against conducting any military operations which would directly impact the nuclear negotiations.
Impact: Current statements from US, Iranian and IAEA officials attest that the nuclear negotiations have recently managed to progress towards a potential resolution of the US – Iran dispute. The fifth round of mediated talks signaled significant reproachment from both sides as concrete progress was evident from the statements gathered by US Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both countries are currently awaiting the upcoming sixth round of nuclear negotiations which would most likely determine immediate steps regarding Iran’s nuclear enrichment and contribute towards the de-escalation of tensions. IAEA’s involvement would be crucial, as the agency would be positioned in a substantiated monitoring position to ensure Iran’s nuclear compliance.