Iran Says Nuclear Talks Are Still Unapproved, Missiles Off the Table

Iranian news agency Mehr reported Friday morning that Tehran has not yet given final approval to the draft memorandum of understanding with the United States. According to the report, ballistic missiles will not be discussed at any stage, and the only subjects on the table are Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of economic sanctions.

Iranian coverage said the framework also refers to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending oil sanctions, and unfreezing assets, without specifying amounts. The draft is said to set a 60-day window for negotiations toward a final deal, with an option to extend by another similar period. That is described as a very short timetable compared with past efforts, especially since the Obama administration needed about a year and a half to reach an agreement.

The full Iranian publication says the draft includes 14 strict demands, among them an immediate and permanent ceasefire in all arenas, a U.S. pledge of noninterference and an end to the naval blockade, withdrawal of American forces from the region, and opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is also demanding suspension of oil sanctions, release of $24 billion in frozen assets, about half of it before talks begin, and an economic reconstruction plan worth $300 billion.

The disclosure has triggered concern and opposition in Israel. Since the war began, Israel has insisted any agreement must address three issues, the nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional proxy groups. Because those issues remain outside the draft, Israeli officials hope the talks will collapse and that the supreme leader, Mojtaba, will not approve the framework. The main dispute is how much money Iran would receive. The U.S. says no funds should be released before the uranium stockpiles are dealt with, while a possible compromise would keep frozen money in Qatari accounts for food and medicine purchases only. Israel plans to use the 60 days of talks to try to shape the terms, though it was caught off guard by the framework itself and its influence is uncertain.