Scoop: Iran raised possible interim nuclear deal with U.S., sources say
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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/Pool via Getty
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told White House envoy Steve Witkoff during nuclear talks on Saturday that it might not be possible to reach a final nuclear accord on President Trump's proposed timetable and asked whether the sides should first negotiate an interim deal, two sources with knowledge of the issue tell Axios.
Why it matters: President Trump has set a two-month deadline for negotiations with Iran — and ordered a build-up of U.S. military forces in the Middle East in case diplomacy fails.
- If a deal isn't reached, Trump could order a U.S. military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities or support an Israeli strike.
- While two sources told Axios that Araghchi raised the interim deal proposal, Iran's Mission to the UN denied it in a statement to Axios: "This is simply neither true nor accurate." The State Department declined to comment.
- Axios previously reported that the Iranians were considering proposing an interim deal.
Behind the scenes: Araghchi told Witkoff that given the detailed technical nature of any nuclear agreement, it would be very difficult to complete the negotiations within 60 days.
- Witkoff told Araghchi he doesn't want to discuss an interim deal for the time being. Instead, he wants to focus on reaching a comprehensive deal within 60 days.
- If that both parties think significantly more time is needed as that deadline approaches, they can revisit the idea of an interim deal, Witkoff said according to the sources.
- Araghchi and Witkoff held indirect talks in Rome with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi mediating, but also met directly, the sources say.
Between the lines: Trump hasn't said when exactly the 60-day window will close, but U.S. officials insist the clock is now ticking.
Driving the news: A senior U.S. official said Witkoff and Araghchi "made very good progress" during the talks in Rome.
- Araghchi said Wednesday during a trip to Beijing that Iran and the U.S. reached a better understanding about the principles of a possible deal and there was now "a chance for making progress."
- Oman's Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the talks that the parties agreed "to enter into the next phase" of the negotiations.
- According to the Omani statement, Iran and the U.S. agreed to work on "a fair, enduring and binding deal which will ensure Iran is completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy."
What to watch: U.S. and Iranian working-level negotiators will meet again on Saturday in Oman for a first round of technical negotiations.
- This will be the first time that the parties will discuss the actual limitations the U.S. wants to see imposed on Iran's nuclear program, especially when it comes to uranium enrichment.
- State Department policy planning chief Michael Anton will lead the U.S. team, U.S. officials say.
- Witkoff and Araghchi could also meet in Oman this weekend after the technical talks are concluded, sources say.
Behind the scenes: Witkoff met on Wednesday in Washington with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Raphael Grossi, a U.S. official said.
- This was their second meeting in less than a week. The IAEA will likely lead any monitoring and verification of Iran's nuclear facilities if a deal is reached.
- Grossi, who visited Tehran last week, told reporters in Washington on Wednesday that his impression is that Iran wants a deal, and that he'd encouraged both Witkoff and Araghchi to continue talking directly.
- "The talks are serious... we are in a crucial moment", he said.
What's next: An IAEA technical team will travel to Tehran soon to discuss reinstalling cameras and other monitoring issues.
- "It's not linked, but it's linked" to the talks, Grossi said, adding that he isn't sure Iran would have let his team in if the talks weren't happening.
What they're saying: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a more hawkish voice within the administration, told Bari Weiss on her podcast on Tuesday that "we're a long ways away from any sort of agreement with Iran."
- Rubio stressed Trump is committed to trying to reach a deal because "he would prefer that there not be need to resort to military force."
- Rubio said the U.S. would agree to Iran retaining a civilian nuclear program, but only if Iran does not "insist on enriching" uranium domestically.
- Rubio also stressed that military action against Iran's nuclear program would be more complex than five or ten years ago because Iran's nuclear program and Iran's military capabilities are more developed.
