US links Iran nuclear deal to wider regional peace

Evian, June 17 (IANS) The Trump administration is seeking to use its new agreement with Iran as a platform for broader negotiations on regional security, including Tehran’s support for proxy groups, stability in Lebanon and improved relations between Israel and its neighbours, senior US officials said on Wednesday.

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of the Iran accord, senior US officials said Washington views the agreement as the first step towards a wider diplomatic effort across the Middle East.

“After nuclear is gonna be regional stability and funding of proxies,” a senior US official said, outlining what the administration sees as the next phase of discussions with Tehran.

The official said the United States had made clear to Iran that any reduction in regional tensions would require action on Hezbollah.

“We were very clear with Iran that this will not be a one-sided peace fire,” the official said. “They have to get a collar on their dog and Hezbollah, and they’ve gotta hold them back.”

According to the official, Israel would retain the right to respond if Hezbollah launches attacks.

“If Hezbollah attacks Israel, Israel’s gonna have the full ability” to retaliate, the official said.

Senior officials described ongoing contacts between Israel and Lebanon as a potentially important development. They said direct discussions between the two countries could help reduce tensions that have long been influenced by Iran-backed groups operating in the region.

“The hope is that through these discussions, we’re able to help create a new angle in the direct Israel-Lebanon discussions,” a senior US official said.

Officials said the memorandum signed with Iran establishes a framework for negotiating a final agreement within 60 days while maintaining the current status quo during talks. The administration stressed that sanctions relief would be tied directly to Iranian compliance with nuclear commitments.

“We are saying the sanctions relief and the nuclear issues are connected,” a senior US official said. “To the extent that you perform on the nuclear questions, you’ll get the sanctions relief.”

The official said Iran had accepted, at a minimum, the destruction of its enriched uranium stockpile through downblending under international supervision.

“The enriched stockpile will be destroyed by down-blending,” the official said, calling it “a major, major win for the United States of America.”

Another senior US official said Washington would rely on verification rather than trust in any future agreement.

“We’re not really in the trusting business,” the official said. “We’re gonna see if we can come to a place that leads us to a deal that could work.”

The administration said the International Atomic Energy Agency would play a key role in monitoring compliance, alongside US intelligence and additional verification measures.

Officials also disclosed that communication between US and Iranian representatives has expanded significantly during the crisis.

“There’s much more direct interaction,” a senior US official said.

While expressing cautious optimism, administration officials said President Trump remained prepared to abandon negotiations if Iran failed to fulfill its commitments.

“If we’re not able to make a great deal, President Trump has been very clear that he has a lot of tools at his disposal,” a senior US official said.

The memorandum is intended to serve as an interim framework while negotiators work towards a broader settlement. Senior officials said the next round of talks is expected to take place in Switzerland, where both sides will attempt to convert preliminary understandings into a comprehensive agreement.

–IANS

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