The US May Lift Sanctions on Iran: What’s at Stake

The United States may lift sanctions on Iran's oil exports if Tehran agrees to fulfill a series of obligations related to its nuclear program. These obligations include renouncing the enrichment of uranium to levels necessary for producing nuclear weapons, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources.

According to an Iranian official, such a decision could be one of the outcomes of indirect negotiations between representatives of the two countries. He claims that if Washington and Tehran reach an agreement on prisoner exchanges and the unfreezing of Iranian assets, further steps towards de-escalation could include the removal of sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

To achieve this, Iran must commit not to enrich uranium above 60% and to cooperate more closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A Western official told Reuters that the parties intend to reach a status quo where Iran refrains from enriching uranium to the 90% level necessary for nuclear weapons.

The official stated that the West could overlook significant portions of Iranian assets located abroad if Tehran agrees to enhance its cooperation with the IAEA and refrains from installing more advanced centrifuges.

The source also emphasized that the US is determined to prevent the deterioration of relations between Iran and Israel. “If the Iranians miscalculate, we want to avoid a harsh response from Israel,” he said.