WSJ "US Proposes Partial Easing of Economic Sanctions on Iran"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yujin] The United States has proposed easing some economic sanctions, including those on crude oil and finance, in negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing sources.

Photo by WSJ

According to the report, the U.S. sent signals to Iran that it could narrow differences in the nuclear deal negotiations by easing some financial and economic sanctions, such as removing the Central Bank of Iran from the sanctions list. A senior U.S. State Department official said the U.S. outlined the contours of sanctions relief on Iran more clearly, and there has been progress in the negotiations accordingly.

According to multiple sources, the U.S. indicated it could lift various transaction sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, state-owned oil refining, tanker companies, steel, aluminum, and more. A senior European official said the U.S. also hinted at potential sanctions relief in sectors including textiles, automobiles, shipping, and insurance.

However, there was no consensus on lifting direct sanctions on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Former President Donald Trump imposed sanctions in 2019 through an executive order blocking access to key financial assets and funding support for the Supreme Leader, his office, and closely related individuals.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appeared serious about the U.S. sanctions relief proposal but demanded precise details. He said, "At some stages of the negotiations, I realized they were sincere. However, in some parts, they are speaking ambiguously."

Negotiators reported progress in talks, but the WSJ noted that the negotiations are still difficult as the U.S. is not directly participating due to Iran’s refusal.

The U.S. political media outlet The Hill analyzed that the negotiations are struggling because Iran demands the removal of all sanctions imposed during the Trump administration. A senior U.S. State Department official said, "Progress in the five-day talks has been slow, and the U.S. effort to restore the nuclear agreement still has a long way to go."

Delegations from JCPOA participant countries have been negotiating in Vienna since the 6th to restore the agreement.

Participant countries in the Iran nuclear deal, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, are mediating between Iran, which refuses direct talks, and the U.S. to reach an agreement, with talks set to resume next week.

Mikhail Ulyanov, the chief negotiator for this round of talks, said, "We have started drafting a document regarding the steps both sides need to take to restore the agreement," and expressed optimism that "the negotiations could be concluded by the end of May, when the International Atomic Energy Agency’s continuous monitoring period of Iran’s nuclear activities expires."