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The flag of Iran is seen in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna. Photo: Michael Gruber\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Biden administration <\/strong>discussed with its European and Israeli partners in recent weeks a proposal for an interim agreement with Iran that would include some sanctions relief in exchange for Tehran freezing parts of its nuclear program, according to 10 Israeli officials, Western diplomats and U.S. experts with knowledge of the proposal.<\/p>\n Why it matters: <\/strong>The new approach by the Biden administration shows just how concerned the U.S. is about recent advances in Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. has not ruled out diplomacy on reaching an agreement to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement but did take it off the agenda last year over Iran's military assistance to Russia and Tehran's crackdown on anti-government protests.<\/p>\n Behind the scenes: <\/strong>The Biden administration started discussing the new approach in January and briefed its Israeli and E3 \u2014 France, Germany and the U.K. \u2014 allies about it in February, according to the 10 sources. <\/p>\n What they're saying: <\/strong>A White House National Security Council spokesperson said President Biden is "absolutely committed to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and we still believe diplomacy is the best way to achieve that objective." <\/p>\n The big picture: <\/strong>Iranian officials have so far rejected the new approach, saying that it didn't work before and they don't want a deal that includes anything less than the 2015 nuclear agreement, according to the three Israeli officials and Western diplomats.<\/p>\n\n
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