The U.S. is reportedly eager to strike a swift deal with Iran, a move that has caused unease among European allies.
The Trump Administration may accept a “bad initial” Iran deal for a quick win, leaving complex issues for “endless downstream problems,” a senior European diplomat told Reuters.
Diplomats from France, Britain, and Germany, who have been negotiating with Iran since 2003, feel sidelined. They had earlier worked with the U.S. to secure the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, calling it “one-sided.”
The European allies said that a basic deal involving an economic package for the nuclear stockpile is possible, but cautioned that nuclear issues remain the main sticking point. The dispute centers on Iran’s right to enrich uranium, with Trump pushing for zero enrichment and Iran insisting on civilian use. A compromise could involve a temporary pause and limited enrichment under strict oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the diplomats told Reuters.
Gérard Araud, France’s chief negotiator from 2006 to 2009, stated that a negotiation with Iran is “meticulous and subtle” where “every word matters.”
“That’s not something you rush,” he added.
Trump Rejects Iran Cash Deal Claim
This development comes on the heels of Trump’s statement to CBS News on Friday that Iran has “agreed to everything,” including the removal of its enriched uranium. The President also refuted an Axios report claiming the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for its nuclear stockpile. “No, we are not paying 10 cents,” said Trump.
However, the recent escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran following a naval confrontation in the Gulf of Oman has caused the Dow futures to fall sharply while oil prices surged. At 3:32 am ET, Brent crude oil was trading 4.60% higher at $94.54 per barrel.
Trump said U.S. forces fired on and seized an Iranian container ship in the Gulf of Oman after it tried to breach a naval blockade, adding the sanctioned vessel TOUSKA is now in U.S. custody. The incident followed an Iranian tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz. While talks were planned in Islamabad, Iran signaled it would not participate.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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