Trump ready to ease Iran sanctions— US wants nuclear concessions first

US President Donald Trump is open to giving Iran sanctions relief and releasing frozen Iranian funds as part of a final agreement, but only if Tehran makes "concrete progress" on its nuclear programme, a US official informed CNN on Monday.

Key points

• The comments came as Qatar and other mediators tried to restart discussions between Washington and Tehran.
• But hours after the US official spoke regarding feasible sanctions relief, Trump himself denied that he had offered Iran anything.
• A US official informed CNN that Washington was having "positive and constructive" discussions with Iran through mediators.
• Iran has indicated that it is willing to be flexible on its nuclear programme, but the two sides are still divided over when Iran would create its commitments.
• The US is additionally not fully convinced by Iran's promises.

For context, the comments came as Qatar and other mediators tried to restart discussions between Washington and Tehran. The negotiations had stalled after Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

But hours after the US official spoke regarding feasible sanctions relief, Trump himself denied that he had offered Iran anything. The mixed signals came as the war entered its eighth month, with both sides facing growing economic pressure. US notes nuclear problem must be addressed.

In practice, a US official informed CNN that Washington was having "positive and constructive" discussions with Iran through mediators. Nevertheless, the official stressed that there would be no final agreement unless the nuclear problem was addressed.

Iran has indicated that it is willing to be flexible on its nuclear programme, but the two sides are still divided over when Iran would create its commitments. Washington and Tehran additionally remain apart on which side should take the first steps.

For context, the US is additionally not fully convinced by Iran's promises. The official remarked Washington remains doubtful as Iran had violated a memorandum of understanding by firing on commercial vessels.

Taken together, the developments around trump ready to ease Iran sanctions- US wants nuclear concessions first point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.