July 2019 Update – President Rouhani Offers to Negotiate

The President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, has announced that Iran is willing to negotiate and hold talks with the United States. Iran offered to come to the table if the United States returns to the JCPOA nuclear deal and lifts the sanctions that were re-implemented due to the U.S.’s withdrawal.

Importance of the Offer to Negotiate

This offer is important because it could provide a valuable space for the Trump Administration to make certain determinations with regards to the removal of temporary suspensions or sanctions that were imposed on Iran. Additionally, it paves the way for further negotiations on foreign policy issues.

It was reported that the United States did not sanction and is not planning to sanction Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, and has provided a visa for Foreign Minister Zarif to visit New York for the U.N. meeting in September. There could be a restart to U.S.-Iran negotiations if President Trump agrees to temporarily suspend the sanctions on Iran to further political diplomacy.

Future of the Iran Sanctions Regime

The possibility of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may result in certain changes to U.S. sanctions and OFAC law. These changes may include a suspension of secondary sanctions on Iran, as well as waivers for the exportation of Iranian oil.

Exclusions may be able to continue if these sanctions are suspended and the President provides the authority for OFAC to re-implement JCPOA-related sanctions, waivers, and general licenses.