WASHINGTON (Kashmir English): US President Donald Trump is prepared to offer Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concrete steps on its nuclear programme, according to US officials cited by Axios.
The message comes as Qatari and Pakistani mediators are making renewed efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran. However, the two sides remain divided over key issues.
Iran wants negotiations to focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade, while the Trump administration is demanding commitments from Tehran on its nuclear programme.
A US official told Axios that the administration believes the pressure from the blockade and sanctions is increasing its leverage and said Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The official also said the White House remains sceptical of Iranian assurances and wants concrete guarantees that Tehran is serious about reaching an agreement.
According to Axios, the mediators are continuing shuttle diplomacy between the two sides in an effort to narrow the remaining differences.
Iran has indicated that it remains open to negotiations, while the US has maintained that any agreement must address the nuclear issue.
