WASHINGTON: The Wall Street Journal reports that the White House has instructed U.S. government agencies to refrain from imposing new sanctions against Iran.
This decision coincides with a new round of nuclear negotiations and is seen by some sources as a sign of a change in Washington’s tactics towards Tehran.
The directive was initially communicated to the National Security Council, the Treasury Department, and the State Department.
Despite a vague statement from the White House, no U.S. official has confirmed or denied it.
Analysts suggest that the goal is to reassess the impact of sanctions on the negotiation process, although some restrictions, such as oil sanctions and asset freezes, remain in place.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that Iran has increased its uranium enrichment levels. Critics warn that this U.S. retreat could weaken its position in negotiations.
This decision comes as the U.S. has sent a new proposal to Iran through Oman. The proposal was presented after five rounds of discussions on Saturday night.
According to ISNA news agency, an informed Iranian source described the proposal as “fantastical and one-sided,” deeming it unacceptable. In contrast, a White House spokesperson stated that senior U.S. negotiator Steve Wietkoff has presented a “detailed and reasonable proposal,” adding that acceptance of it would be beneficial for Tehran.
