In the revelation that the agreement concerns a three-page understanding, which, among other things, includes provisions for the release of 20 billion dollars from the Iranian frozen funds which are related to the American sanctions, in exchange for Iran to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium, the Axios website went forward a while ago.
According to the report, the talks this week have made steady progress, but the two sides still have significant differences.
What both sides want in the negotiations
As highlighted, one of the key priorities of the Trump administration is to ensure that Iran will not be able to gain access to the stockpile of nearly 2,000 kilograms of enriched uranium stored in its underground nuclear facilities. Of particular concern are the 450 kg of uranium that has been enriched to 60%.
For its part, Iran needs money.
With these data the two sides negotiate:
- what will happen to the uranium stockpile
- how much of the Iranian funds will be released
- under what conditions Iran will be able to use this money
According to two sources cited by Axios, the United States in an earlier stage of negotiations was prepared to release $6 billion so that Iran could buy food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies, but the Iranians asked for $27 billion.
The latest amount being discussed between the United States and Iran is $20 billion.
A US official said this was a proposal by the United States, while another official described the “money-for-uranium” idea as one of several proposals being discussed.
The issue of nuclear material
At the same time, the United States demanded that Iran agree to send all of its nuclear material to the United States.
The Iranians only agreed to dilute it (reduce the level of enrichment) within Iran itself.
Under a compromise proposal now under discussion, part of the highly enriched uranium would be sent to a third country (not necessarily the United States) and another part would be diluted in Iran under international supervision.
The memorandum of understanding
The three-page memorandum of understanding negotiated by the two sides also includes a “voluntary” freeze on Iran’s uranium enrichment. The United States demanded in the last round of talks that Iran agree to a 20-year freeze, while Iran opposed a five-year period. Mediators are still trying to bridge this gap.
What is planned for nuclear facilities, Straits, missiles and organizations
Under the memorandum, Iran will be able to maintain research nuclear reactors for the production of medical isotopes, but will pledge that all its nuclear facilities will be above ground, while existing underground facilities will remain decommissioned.
The memorandum also covers the issue of the Straits of Hormuz, although the sources say there are still significant disagreements on this issue.
It is unclear whether the memorandum includes Iran’s ballistic missiles or its support for regional allied organizations and armed groups.
