Trump offers to lift Iran sanctions and unfreeze assets for nuclear concessions
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
The US is ready to ease sanctions against Iran and unfreeze its assets if Tehran takes concrete steps regarding its nuclear program. This week, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are again trying to bring an agreement closer, according to Axios. American officials revealed the details.
Trump is ready to ease sanctions and unblock frozen Iranian funds if Tehran takes concrete steps regarding its nuclear program. The proposal appeared shortly after the US President rejected Iran's latest peace plan.
On September 28, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan discussed the Qatari proposal with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Afterward, the Qataris were scheduled to meet with American officials on the evening of September 28 or today, September 29.
In Washington, indirect negotiations are described as positive and constructive. According to an American official, Iran is ready for flexibility on nuclear issues, but there will be no deal without their resolution.
Iran wants to talk primarily about the Strait of Hormuz and the American blockade, while the US demands nuclear concessions.
"The sides still remain apart on the timing of the commitments and who takes which steps first," the official explained.
Washington believes that the blockade and sanctions are weakening Iran with each passing day, so time is on the side of the US. At the same time, they do not trust Tehran's promises: in July, Iranian forces fired on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, violating a previous memorandum.
"The U.S. needs assurances this time that Iran is serious and it's not just them trying to get out of the tough situation they are in," the official emphasized.
On September 26, Trump confirmed that he had rejected Tehran's previous plan, transmitted through Qatari mediators. Iran offered to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities, and in return wanted the lifting of the blockade, the unfreezing of assets, and the cancellation of oil sanctions.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump told aides that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the midterm elections in November. In response, Araghchi again called on the US to engage in diplomacy, emphasizing that the deadlock can only be resolved through negotiations.
The war between the US and Iran has been going on for almost seven months. It began after US-Israeli strikes in late February 2026, in response to which Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. In April, Trump announced that the US would itself block the Strait of Hormuz. Washington then explained this by Iran's unwillingness to abandon its nuclear program.
At the end of June, the parties agreed to cease mutual attacks and sit down at the negotiating table in Qatar. In early August, Tehran lowered its demands regarding Hormuz, and Washington even hoped for a quick deal. However, they failed to reach an agreement.
