Who moves first in Iran-US diplomacy?

What the report says

Al Jazeera published an opinion piece by Ali Sari, a former member of Iran’s parliament, arguing that the long-running question in Iran-US diplomacy is less about which side acts first and more about how both sides can make coordinated, verifiable moves. The article says the latest friction has revived debate over whether Tehran should curb nuclear activity before sanctions relief, or whether Washington should ease pressure before expecting Iranian concessions.

The piece points to past agreements as examples of phased diplomacy. It cites the 2013 Joint Plan of Action and the 2015 nuclear deal, noting that limited Iranian steps and partial Western sanctions relief were implemented in stages and verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The author argues that the 2018 US withdrawal from the JCPOA weakened Iran’s confidence in any deal that relies only on technical commitments without stronger political guarantees.

According to the article, both governments still have reasons to hesitate: the US wants sanctions relief tied to verified Iranian compliance, while Iran wants assurances that concessions will not be reversed by a future administration. The author suggests that this deadlock could be eased through synchronized steps, third-party monitoring and phased implementation, with Qatar mentioned as a possible mediator and the IAEA as a technical verifier.

The broader context is the ongoing strain over the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear policy and regional security. The article frames the stakes as diplomatic stability, energy security and avoiding further escalation in the Middle East.