The United States and Iran are negotiating a plan to end the war that includes releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium. The information is from the website Axios.
Washington’s priority is to prevent Iran from maintaining access to almost 2,000 kg of enriched uranium in underground facilities, including around 450 kg with 60% purity.
In previous phases, the US considered unlocking US$6 billion for humanitarian purposes, while Iran demanded US$27 billion. Now, the number being debated is $20 billion, according to the sources.
Washington even proposed that all uranium be sent to the USA; Tehran only agreed to dilute part of the stock on its territory, under international monitoring. A compromise under discussion envisages sending the most enriched material to a third country and diluting the rest in Iran.
According to the vehicle, President Donald Trump stated that negotiators from the two countries should meet this weekend, in Islamabad, for a second round of talks.
Pakistan acts as a mediator, with support from Egypt and Türkiye. The discussions involve the value to be released and the destination of the nuclear material.
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The package is part of a three-page memorandum of understanding that includes a “voluntary” moratorium on uranium enrichment. The US wants 20 years; Iran offers five.
The draft also calls for the country to maintain only above-ground nuclear facilities, with underground units deactivated, and authorizes research reactors for the production of medical isotopes.
There are still disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, and it is unclear whether the text addresses ballistic missiles and Iranian support for armed groups.
