Qatar awaits Iran’s response to new nuclear proposal offering sanctions relief

Qatar is awaiting Tehran's response, possibly by Thursday, to a proposal under which Iran would allow IAEA inspectors back into its nuclear sites in exchange for sanctions relief and possibly the release of frozen funds, two regional diplomats tell The Jerusalem Post. IAEA chief Grossi told the UN Security Council that only inspectors on the ground can assess Iran's program.

Qatar is waiting for Tehran's answer to a new proposal under which Iran would take a limited step on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and possibly the release of frozen funds, two regional diplomats told The Jerusalem Post. The response could arrive as early as Thursday. The step under consideration is the return of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to Iran's nuclear sites. On Tuesday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi briefed UN Security Council members, saying only inspectors back on the ground could give an accurate picture of the state of Iran's nuclear program. He called on Iran to cooperate "without any further delay" and to supply the information and access the agency requires to verify facilities and material. The proposal lands amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Iran has demanded that the US lift its blockade and provide some sanctions relief before any discussion of its nuclear program; the Trump administration insists Iran move first on the nuclear file. The return of inspectors could serve as a starting point for bridging that gap. Senior officials from the mediating countries told Iranian officials the deal may be "the last chance before President Trump might decide to launch a military operation against Iran." White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told the Jerusalem Post that the US "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections," which she said would be held next Tuesday, and that the blockade would remain in full force.