Iran’s top diplomat just drew a line in the sand. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that nuclear negotiations with the United States will not happen until a proposed interim deal is fully implemented, effectively putting the most contentious issues on hold while both sides sort out the regional housekeeping first.

What the interim deal actually covers

The memorandum of understanding that Araghchi wants implemented before any nuclear talks contains 14 articles. None of them deal with nuclear issues.

Instead, the MoU focuses on regional de-escalation. That includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending naval blockades at Iranian ports, and dialing down various regional conflicts that have kept the Persian…