The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the Biden administration held secret diplomatic talks with Iran in order to cool tensions, bring about a prisoner deal between the countries, and curb its nuclear program. According to the report, the discussions between the parties have been held in New York, and in the last round, the parties even held three meetings in Muscat, Oman. The optics of the talks are peculiar as on the one hand, the U.S. is heavily invested in helping Ukraine win the war, however, should Iran get their hands on the billions America has held due to sanctions, those funds would surely be used to help Russia in their efforts.
In the meantime, in exchange for the prisoner deal and restriction on the nuclear project, Tehran demands billions of dollars frozen by the US in bank accounts outside the country. Iranian officials have repeatedly demanded the thawing of the seven billion dollars held in South Korea and even demanded access to billions of dollars in Iraq for shipments of Gas and Oil. US Officials have already indicated that discussions are underway with Washington on the release of the money. Some reports are alleging that the money from Iraq is already being released, however, The Judean could not confirm this at the time of this writing.
for a drone factory in Moscow. The surplus cash is unleashed like a storm on the Middle East, filling the coffers of terror groups worldwide while advancing Iranian nuclear R&D – as it did in 2015. The United States must hold Iran accountable – not reward kidnapping and extortion
— Jewish Defense Network (@JewDefense) June 13, 2023
The US imposed economic sanctions on Iran in 2018, and since Tehran has expanded its nuclear activities and enriched uranium to a level of 60%. Western sources fear the continuation of Iran's nuclear activities, with Biden even stating that "certain actions by Iran could lead us to a very dangerous situation, and the whole world knows it, it is clear to us that actions that would escalate the crisis should be avoided. It's no secret that we urge Iran to abandon the path of escalation, after several months of negative developments."
Since last summer, Western countries and Iran have not held formal negotiations on returning to the nuclear deal, with Tehran distancing itself from any proposed draft agreement. At the end of last year, the US special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, even met in New York with Iran's ambassador to the UN headquarters. Last week, the White House denied a report that the US and Iran were close to an interim agreement according to which Tehran would reduce its nuclear program in exchange for concessions Sanctions.
This will turn out well. Are people in government really this stupid? Where's the kickback going. Biden has laundered money through Ukraine, China, and now Iran. The global community should be choking off terrorist countries, not paying them. https://t.co/6Ahz2LoeJa
— JWSAGAIN (@jwsagain) June 14, 2023
The Iranian delegation to the UN also claimed that "there is no interim agreement in place of the nuclear agreement on the agenda". The Iranian state news agency even accused the US and Israel of "manipulating" the Iranian markets by publishing "targeted false reports."
"While betraying Israel as Obama did, Biden’s team is also following in his footsteps in providing aid and comfort to one of the most formidable enemies America faces on the world stage: the Islamic Republic of Iran." @GenFlynnhttps://t.co/wLnQrPTX8u
— Dan (@Dan19726) June 12, 2023
According to Iranian sources who spoke with The New York Times, the deal in the making which is still being officially denied is not a nuclear agreement similar to the one signed in 2015, but a sort of "political ceasefire". According to the emerging agreements Iran will agree as part of a new agreement not to enrich uranium beyond the current production level of 60%, while the US in return will seize to moderate its nuclear progress.
