Iran holding firm on conditions as MoU set to expire on Sunday
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
The clock is ticking, and over the past few days, there has been less appetite among Iranian officials and sources to talk about any potential extension of the deal. However, they are very vocal in articulating their demands and conditions for any rapprochement with the United States.
Iranians are more concerned about the implementation of any agreements, less concerned about the extension of the deal, and these concerns are basically coming from two important aspects.
First, the security assurances that Iran is looking for to make sure that if a deal could be reached at the end of the day, it could pave the way for a period of stability in the country. And also a second factor, which is the economic demands of the country. And they’re coming with clear demands regarding the naval blockade imposed by the Americans.
The necessity for the removal of that blockade is out there as a key point of concern for the Iranians not only when it comes to the entirety of the potential talks between Iran and the United States and the revival of the memorandum of understanding, but also, more importantly, regarding the potential reopening of the Strait [of Hormuz].
Also, sanctions and the frozen assets are two other economic concerns for the Iranian side.