Iran Negotiator Says No Deal With US Until National Rights Are Guaranteed

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran will not accept any agreement with the US unless its national rights are guaranteed. Markets are closely watching whether Washington and Tehran can reach a final deal.

Walter Bloomberg reported on May 31 that Qalibaf said, "No agreement will be accepted until the nation's rights are guaranteed."

He stressed that tangible results and guarantees of rights matter more than US promises in the negotiation process. He also reaffirmed that Iran cannot accept any deal that does not adequately reflect its national interests and sovereignty.

The US and Iran have recently continued talks covering an extension of a ceasefire, the resumption of nuclear negotiations and the normalization of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. While reports have said the two sides have reached political common ground, major differences remain over limits on uranium enrichment, the scope of sanctions relief and the return of frozen assets.

Markets are weighing the impact the outcome of the US-Iran talks could have on global financial assets, including oil and gold. Iran, however, has maintained a cautious stance, making guarantees on national rights a precondition for any final agreement.