US political turmoil stalls sanctions relief talks with Iran, says diplomat

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Reza Najafi has expressed concerns that the US is currently unable to engage in substantive negotiations with Iran over the lifting of sanctions, citing internal political issues as a key obstacle.

"While indirect talks are ongoing, it is clear that the US is not prepared for serious discussions on sanction relief due to its domestic challenges," Najafi stated, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

He emphasized that for negotiations to advance, the US must demonstrate readiness for detailed dialogue. Iran will continue to monitor the US government's approach to this issue as it evolves.

Najafi noted that while Tehran does not have frozen assets abroad, which could be utilized, the main hindrance remains the sanctions imposed on Iran. Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, has previously criticized US policy as inherently hostile, asserting that meaningful improvement in bilateral relations hinges on Washington abandoning its aggressive stance. Consequently, Tehran views the outcome of the upcoming US presidential elections as less critical.

In the pre-election debates, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian advocated for dialogue with the West, the restoration of the nuclear deal, and increased foreign investment. However, Iranian analysts have cautioned that if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, the prospects for advancing negotiations could be significantly diminished, potentially leaving Pezeshkian’s plans unimplemented.