Washington’s readiness to engage Iran in detailed talks about lifting sanctions has stalled amid political division at home, according to statements from Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Reza Najafi. The position signals that any bilateral move will hinge on changes inside the United States and the direction of its next administration. Najafi emphasized that Tehran will watch closely as the US policy framework evolves before moving forward in direct negotiations. [ISNA]
Najafi highlighted Iran’s willingness to sit at the negotiating table, noting that the Islamic Republic stands ready for formal discussions once there is a clear signal from a new US government. He pointed to the possibility of a leadership transition within Iran, referencing the presidential election results that brought Masoud Pezeshkian into the spotlight after the second-round vote held on July 5. The Iranian side has signaled openness to negotiations framed by the premise that any future talks would be conducted with the intention of maintaining stability in the region and ensuring mutual, verifiable commitments. Prior to these remarks, there were reports that Oman played a mediating role in facilitating conversations with the United States. The focus of Iranian discussions with the United States ranged from sanction relief to broader regional security considerations and verification of Iran’s nuclear program commitments. [ISNA]
On June 27, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil sector. The move was justified by what Washington described as observable advances in Iran’s nuclear activities, prompting a broader conversation about supply constraints and geopolitical risk in global energy markets. The sanctions message underscored the linkage between perceived nuclear progress and economic penalties, a pattern that has persisted in the broader U.S. approach to Iran policy. [State Department briefing]
In related statements, Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticized Western narratives surrounding the crisis in Ukraine and charged that Western powers have spread misinformation about NATO and U.S. involvement. The ministry asserted that responsibility for the conflict lies with those promoting aggression and misrepresentations, a stance that underscores the friction in international communications as talks progress. [Iranian Foreign Ministry remarks]