• Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the U.S. is obligated to fulfill its commitments under the nuclear agreement, warning that failure will trigger reciprocal measures from Tehran.
  • Tehran insists any deal must fully safeguard Iran’s rights, including sanctions relief and access to blocked assets, and demands verifiable guarantees before making major concessions.
  • Talks have proceeded through intermediaries, with Iran signaling readiness to respond to any U.S. reneging, as the sides remain at odds over enrichment limits and verification.

Baghaei’s Statement Raises Stakes in Nuclear Talks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh said on Tuesday that the United States is obligated to deliver its commitments under the nuclear agreement, and that failure to do so will lead to reciprocal measures from Tehran. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Baghaei emphasized that any deal must fully safeguard Iran’s rights and interests, according to people familiar with the matter.

“The U.S. is obliged to fulfill its commitments. If it fails, we will take reciprocal measures,” Baghaei said, without specifying the nature of such measures. The comments come as Iran and the U.S. engage in indirect talks mediated by regional intermediaries, with both sides seeking to revive or reshape the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran Demands Verifiable Sanctions Relief

Tehran has repeatedly insisted that any agreement must lift sanctions and restore access to blocked assets, tying these conditions to guarantees about Iran’s nuclear rights. Baghaei reiterated that Iran will not make major concessions until the U.S. provides verifiable and durable sanctions relief. “We want a balanced settlement that secures our national interests,” he said, according to official transcripts.

The negotiations, which have proceeded in stages, have so far failed to bridge gaps over enrichment limits and verification mechanisms. Iran has publicly framed the talks as a step-by-step process where the U.S. must move first or make concrete commitments before Iran takes significant steps.

Implications for Markets and Regional Stability

A breakdown in talks could roil global oil markets and affect European energy security, while a breakthrough might unlock Iranian oil exports and ease sanctions-related financial flows. Analysts say the risk of escalation remains high if no deal emerges, with potential reciprocal measures ranging from increased enrichment to restrictions on IAEA inspections.

Efforts to reach the U.S. State Department for comment were not immediately successful. The talks are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both sides signaling cautious optimism but little progress on core issues.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the date of Baghaei’s remarks. They were made on Tuesday, not Wednesday.