The prospect of a financial oil deal with Iran is gaining traction in Western diplomatic circles. Foreign Policy magazine reported that such an arrangement could open the door to a new nuclear agreement between Washington and Tehran, modeled after the Venezuelan precedent.
The idea is that Donald Trump’s administration is politically unable to ease sanctions directly but could propose a mechanism allowing Iran to access oil revenues through U.S.-monitored financial channels in a third country.
This model would provide Iran with limited liquidity and economic stability without lifting sanctions, under indirect American oversight. The article argues that sanctions have already reshaped Iranian policy, making this option less costly than prolonging the crisis.
Meanwhile, Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House in London, wrote in the Financial Times that diplomatic prospects in Washington-Tehran talks in Oman are slim, as any deal would require major concessions from Iran.
Vakil noted that Iran’s regime remains resilient due to the Revolutionary Guard’s security control, making collapse unlikely even if leadership were targeted. She added that domestic opposition is weak and the Iranian diaspora remains divided.
Separately, Haaretz revealed in an exclusive report that Israel no longer prioritizes Iran’s nuclear program but is focusing instead on Tehran’s long-range ballistic missile program.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir raised the missile issue directly with U.S. military officials in Washington, stressing that concessions on Iranian missiles are a red line for Israel. This prompted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to classify the missile issue as a top priority in negotiations with Iran, according to the newspaper.
Sources – Agencies
