Iran to respond soon to U.S. nuclear offer

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said during a visit to Egypt that Tehran would soon respond to a U.S. nuclear proposal.

The U.S. proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran by Omani Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who was on a short visit to Tehran and has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington.

"We will give our response and an appropriate response soon. A response that is based on the principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the national interests of the Iranian people, and the rights of the Iranian people and, certainly, there will be no agreement unless enrichment in Iran is respected and enrichment in Iran continues,” Araqchi said.

Araghchi said there is no obstacle to the improvement of ties between Iran and Egypt, adding that the two countries play an important role in establishing peace and security in the region.

He voiced Tehran’s willingness to improve relations with Cairo and emphasized that the two sides’ officials currently have “good trust” and “more willing than ever” to expand mutual ties.

"The path to developing relations between the two countries is more open than ever. We agreed to expand tourism between the two countries,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

Araghchi said the two countries have managed to increase cooperation on regional issues within international organizations.  

He said Tehran and Cairo agreed to continue constant political dialogue and consultations and increase the volume of trade exchanges.

Meanwhile the White House has reportedly instructed a halt to the imposition of new sanctions against Iran, a move interpreted as a significant shift in Washington's strategy amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources.

According to the newspaper, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dispatched a clear instruction last week to the State Department, the Treasury Department, and the National Security Council, demanding 'to pause all new sanctions activity toward Iran.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks to resolve a decades-long nuclear standoff.